Michigan State basketball: Mady Sissoko has the best NIL story out there

Originally posted on Spartan Shadows
By Connor Muldowney | Last updated 6/9/23

A lot of people have strong opinions on NIL, but what Michigan State basketball center Mady Sissoko has done is incredible.

Michigan State basketball fans have seen NIL help and also hurt the Spartans (more so on the football side) and everyone seems to have strong reactions to it.

But after seeing what Mady Sissoko has done with his NIL money, you’re not going to find many harsh critics. He’s doing great things with his NIL money and he’s an excellent role model for the rest of the NCAA.

Mady went to his home in Mali and opened a school, built a well, and hosted a basketball clinic. He did everything possible to make sure his NIL money went towards giving back to his community.

So proud of Mady

This summer, he spent time at home in Mali where he opened a school, built a well, and hosted a basketball clinic in his hometown. Thank you everyone for your donations and support! pic.twitter.com/3vWkkb9fbq

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) June 8, 2023

It’s actually shocking that more people aren’t talking about Mady’s feel-good NIL story.

The soon-to-be senior big man from Mali not only raised a good amount of NIL money, but he didn’t even think to use it all for himself. He went right back to his hometown and gave back immediately. Sissoko’s fingerprints are now always going to be all over his hometown with the well and The Mady Sissoko Foundation School.

You hear all about kids getting huge NIL deals potentially in the six figures just to go blow what they make on cars or other impulse buys while Mady is out here building schools in Mali. That’s just incredible.

When Tom Izzo talks about OKGs (our kind of guys), this is what he means. He wants selfless guys who not only represent the perfect role models off the court but want to give back to the community as well.

Sissoko is entering a big senior year with Michigan State basketball where he’s looking to be the starting center yet again — but this time for a projected top-five team. But sometimes life is bigger than basketball and Mady is proving that this offseason.

This article first appeared on Spartan Shadows and was syndicated with permission.

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