It’s Drew Neitzel’s thirty-fourth birthday (at least still here on the west coast) and so there is no better time than now to celebrate the career of an absolute Spartan great.
Neitzel rose to local prominence at Wyoming Park High School where he was named Mr. Basketball for the 2004 high school season. He scored a ridiculous 57 points against Hudsonville in 2003, setting his career high.
Drew made an immediate impact for the Spartans in his freshman year in 2004. He played in 33 games his freshman season and started 14 of the last 15 games. He helped lead that Michigan State team to the Final Four, losing to North Carolina (who won the championship). He also led the Big Ten freshmen in assists that season.
Neitzel started every game for the rest of his career at Michigan State at point guard, ultimately being named First Team All-Big Ten in 2007. He played the last game of his career against Memphis in the 2008 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.
Neitzel had this to say about the birthday wishes he received from the Michigan State on Big Ten Twitter:
I miss the days of playing for the Green and White! I may be getting older, but I can still drill it from deep! 🤑#GoGreen #BleedGreen
Tweet -> https://twitter.com/drewneitzel/status/1125779266829017091
After college Neitzel went undrafted and went to play overseas. Aside from a few summer league and training camp tryouts, Neitzel never sustained an NBA career, but will always be remembered as the fearless, sharpshooting point guard for the Spartans.
