Shawn Respert must be fired, according to Michigan State basketball’s head coach, for the following reasons: if not, he will leave
Cassius Winston is the sixth First Team All-American from Michigan State to have been selected in program history. I considered ranking the group’s power to be entertaining.
Since I was three years old when he graduated, I will admit that I have only ever watched Shawn Respert’s basketball highlights on YouTube, but I am all too familiar with his tale.
He costarred with future NBA point guard Eric Snow during Jud Heathcote’s final stint as the Spartans’ coach. His final season as a senior saw him average 25.6 points per game. Prior to being selected eighth overall by the Portland TrailBlazers in the draft, he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, the Sporting News College Player of the Year, and a unanimous First-Team All-American.
He was the all-time top scorer for the Spartans when he graduated from high school. Notably, he was the first Spartan to kiss the logo during his last home game—a custom that endures to this day.
His time in the NBA was terrible. Near the close of his freshman season, Respert began to notice lumps and then stomach problems. Soon after, he began treatment for stomach cancer, but he kept it a secret from everyone but his coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., running partner Eric Snow from MSU, and the trainers and medical staff of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Respert did not play in the league for very long; he played a few years in Europe before quitting without anyone knowing about his struggles. Thankfully, there is a happy ending to this tale, as Respert is now a well-respected and successful NBA coach.
