20 Best NBA Draft Picks from Michigan State

Greg Kelser is best known to the current generation as the color commentator on Detroit Pistons television broadcasts, but he carved out a six-year NBA career after his time at Michigan State.

He didn’t ultimately live up to the promise of his status as the fourth overall draft pick due (in part) to chronic knee injuries, but his career did start with some immediate success. Kelser averaged 14.2 points per game in his rookie campaign with the Pistons and 12.3 points per game in his sophomore season, but his knees limited him to only 75 games between the two years.

Kelser was traded to Seattle in his third season, but he didn’t get as much playing time and saw his points per game production drop to 7.0 over the next year and a half. The limited action may have helped him stay healthy, however, as he played a full season for the first time in the 1982-83 season.

He averaged double figures once again with the Clippers as a 26-year-old in the 1983-84 season — appearing in 80 games once again — but that would be his final year as an effective NBA player. Kelser was limited to just ten games the following year with the Pacers in what would ultimately be his final year as a player.

Greg Kelser finished his career with 19.8 minutes per game, 9.7 points per game, and 4.6 rebounds per game averages in 305 games played.

Next: Number 12