Spartan Hoopla: Can Former Michigan State Star Raymar Morgan Play In the NBA?

Michigan State basketball fans have seen it many times before: A standout in East Lansing who didn't translate that success in the NBA.

Marcus Taylor, Mateen Cleaves and Goran Suton come to mind as a few of the greats under coach Tom Izzo that just couldn't cut it in the league.

Questions about former-Spartan standout Raymar Morgan's NBA future are beginning to swirl.

Morgan, who is listed at 6'8" and 220-pounds, exhibits parts of what NBA teams look for at his position.

He has an average 6'10" wingspan for his size, and he has a quick, but not lightning fast, motor.

He also has facets of the game that can't be coached: heart, will, character, and coachability. He was never in the news for misbehavior, nor was he ever a major discipline problem for Izzo.

Morgan was an above average rebounder as a Spartan, but nothing spectacular. Injuries and inconsistencies hindered his true abilities. But shortly after his college tenure ended, he displayed his talent in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

And while participating in the P.I.T, Morgan gave NBA scouts, who liked his "chip on the shoulder style of play," something to talk about.

Can Morgan play in the NBA?

The answer depends on who is looking at the Canton, Oh. native.

Looking at teams that need an athlete like Morgan to fill a spot, the answer could be yes.

As the 29th-ranked college senior entering June 24's pick-the-right-one spree, he will likely go late.

That is, if a team selects him.

Speculation on Morgan's basketball future leads to two roads.

1. Earning a spot on a roster, and signing as a free-agent. Although that route isn't the easiest or smartest trail to travel, it could happen for Morgan.

Plenty of skilled players go unnoticed on draft day, but somehow find themselves on an NBA roster.

2. The Travis Walton experience. Walton was a spectacular, almost Gary Payton-esque defender in college. He ended up overseas, and lived in Izzo's basement while helping the team in the preseason.

The second option could be in Morgan's future, as he hasn't generated a tidal wave of pre-draft buzz.

The Orlando Magic have reportedly scouted Texas' Damion James and Washington's Quincy Pondexter.

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Magic could take a small forward with the 29th-overall pick. With Matt Barnes opting out of his contract, the scenario is foreseeable.

James possesses nearly identical size as Morgan. James is an inch or two shorter at 6'6", depending on where you look, and a few Big John's steak and onions heftier at 230 pounds.

The former Texas star's advantage is that he played two positions under Rick Barnes. But scheme variations had Morgan, who was effective as a swingman, playing shooting-guard in certain instances.

Pondexter , who is projected as a second-round selection, could end up in a Magic jersey. He is listed as 6'6" and 215 pounds. Pondexter averaged nearly 20 points per game in 2009-10, but doesn't tout Morgan's versatility level.

The athletic and powerful forward's game varies from Morgan's. Pondexter is more of a post-play guy, while Morgan was successful as a slasher.

With the draft just three weeks away, the clock is ticking on Morgan's stateside professional future.

Will teams look past injuries and illness, and judge him by potential?

Will NBA GMs look at what Morgan did in the P.I.T and take it from there?

Or will one of Michigan State's all-time leading scorers end up dominating the Euro-leagues?