San Antonio Spurs: Matt Costello compares the team to Michigan State

In a recent interview, Matt Costello spoke about his contract with the San Antonio Spurs and compared the organization to his alma mater.

The San Antonio Spurs were active in NBA free agency, as they brought in Rudy Gay, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Brandon Paul in to join the roster. However, one last signing was made last week, as Matt Costello agreed to a two-way deal with the Spurs. This kind of contract is new to the Collective Bargaining Agreement which allows a player to freely move from the NBA to the G-League, and vice verse. The player can only remain in the NBA for 45 days, though.

Costello finished up a stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2017 NBA Summer League, before joining the Spurs. He put up 11.3 points and 12.0 rebounds in 25 minutes of play per game.

Before Costello played in the Summer League, the Spurs had their eye on him. He spoke on this in an interview with the Lansing State Journal, detailing how the organization showed interest in him:

“I went to a free-agent camp with them earlier in the summer, and I kind of got an opportunity to see what they were all about,” Costello said. “They said, ‘We’ll be looking at you. Hope you play well in Vegas.’ I guess I played well enough in Vegas to get a call.”

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Costello, who sent to Michigan State, also discussed how the Spurs and Spartans compare. He noted how “[Gregg Popovich] runs the show,” which sounded similar to MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who’s been in charge for just one year longer than Popovich has in San Antonio.

“The opportunity with the Spurs was the best opportunity out there, and that includes all aspects, not just money and playing opportunity, even those both include very good pluses,” said Costello following Tuesday’s Moneyball Pro-Am. “Their program is run much like Michigan State. Pop runs the show. If you’re in the Spurs organization you just have a chance to grow, and not that you will necessary sign with the Spurs next year, but everybody else looks at you in a different light when you’ve gone through their program.”

Given the winning consistency of both programs, the connection can be made between the Spurs and Michigan State. Both have championship pedigrees that, even with some doubt on a year-to-year basis, keeps them in the hunt for a title.

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It’s a positive to see how much Costello seemingly enjoys the Spurs. Time on their NBA squad could be in his future for the 2017-18 season, but with most of the year spent with the Austin Spurs. His progress will be something to follow throughout the upcoming campaign.