Before he was mossing defensive backs in the NFL or leading the Florida State Seminoles to a perfect regular season, Keon Coleman was a dual-sport enigma in East Lansing. We all know the football story—the 6'4" frame, the freakish hands, the jump-ball dominance. But for a brief window in 2022, he was actually a part of Tom Izzo’s rotation. Well, "rotation" might be a generous word, but he was on the floor.
People always ask about the keon coleman michigan state basketball stats because they want to know if he was actually a hooper or just a football player taking up space on the bench. Honestly? He was a real hooper. He came out of Opelousas Catholic in Louisiana as a high-level recruit in both sports, and he didn't just walk onto the team; he was recruited to play both.
The Raw Numbers: Keon Coleman Michigan State Basketball Stats
If you look at the box scores from the 2021-22 season, the stats won't blow you away. We’re talking about a guy who joined the team mid-season after a grueling football schedule.
Keon appeared in exactly six games for the Spartans. In those six games, he played a total of 10 minutes. That’s it. Basically, if you blinked or went to get a hot dog at the Breslin Center, you probably missed his entire basketball career. During that time, he scored 5 total points.
He shot 2-of-5 from the field (40%) and actually knocked down one of his two three-point attempts. He also grabbed one rebound, recorded three steals, and turned the ball over three times. On paper, it looks like a cup of coffee. In reality, it was a testament to how much of an athlete this guy really is.
Why the Minutes Were So Low
You've gotta remember the context here. Tom Izzo doesn't just hand out minutes because you're a star on the gridiron. Michigan State's 2021-22 roster was crowded with guys who had been practicing since October. Keon didn't join the team until the football season ended in late December/early January.
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By the time he got his "basketball legs" under him, the Spartans were deep into the Big Ten gauntlet.
His most productive outing came against Iowa on February 22, 2022. He played five minutes—half of his season total—and scored 3 points. He also managed a steal and a rebound in that span. It was the one glimpse fans got of what he could do when he wasn't just in for garbage time.
A Quick Breakdown of the 2021-22 Season Impact
- Games Played: 6
- Total Minutes: 10 (1.7 per game)
- Total Points: 5 (0.8 per game)
- Field Goals: 2/5
- Three-Pointers: 1/2
- Total Steals: 3
It’s kinda wild to think that a guy with three career steals in college basketball is now a primary target for an NFL franchise. But that’s the Keon Coleman story. The athleticism was always there; the time just wasn't.
The Transition from the Breslin to the Gridiron
After that freshman season, the "dual-sport" dream started to fade, mostly because his football ceiling was so incredibly high. He led Michigan State in receiving in 2022 with 798 yards and seven touchdowns. When you’re producing like that on the field, spending your winters icing your knees and riding the pine for a basketball team starts to make less sense.
By the time he transferred to Florida State, the basketball shoes were mostly retired. He focused 100% on football, and well, the results speak for themselves.
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The keon coleman michigan state basketball stats are a fun piece of trivia now. They represent a rare era where a Power 5 athlete actually tried to balance the two most demanding college sports at the highest level. Most guys talk about it. Keon actually suited up.
What Scouts Saw in the Basketball Tape
Even though the stats were microscopic, NFL scouts actually looked at his basketball background. Why? Because the way he tracks a football in the air is exactly how a power forward tracks a rebound.
That "box-out" mentality he uses against cornerbacks was sharpened in Izzo’s practices. You don't survive a Tom Izzo practice unless you're willing to get physical and dive for loose balls.
If you watch his highlights today, you see the "basketball player" in him. The way he uses his body to shield defenders and his verticality to high-point the ball is pure hardwood fundamentalism. He might have only scored 5 points in a Spartan jersey, but the lessons he learned in those 10 minutes of game time probably helped him earn millions in the NFL.
How to Contextualize His Legacy
Don't let the 0.8 points per game fool you. Keon Coleman was a four-star basketball recruit for a reason. Had he chosen to play only basketball, he likely would have been a rotational wing in the Big Ten.
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Instead, he’s a footnote in Michigan State basketball history and a headline in football history.
For those looking for the "what if," the answer is usually found in his highlights. Go back and look at his high school dunk reels. The guy was a pogo stick. Michigan State fans will always wonder what a full four years under Izzo would have looked like, but given his NFL trajectory, I think he made the right call.
If you're tracking his career now, keep these stats in your back pocket. They aren't just numbers; they're proof that the "freak athlete" label isn't just hype. He really did it all.
To see how these skills translated to the next level, you should look at his first-year receiving splits in the NFL compared to his sophomore year at MSU. The jump in production usually mirrors the physical development he started during those basketball months in East Lansing.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check out the official Michigan State athletics archives for the full 2021-22 box scores to see the specific games where Keon logged his minutes. You can also compare his physical measurements from his freshman basketball media day to his NFL Combine results to see how much muscle he added once he stopped running the floor for Coach Izzo.