As Michigan State looks to build on last season, it's clear that Tom Izzo had some roster gaps to fill. With the departure of key players, the center position was a glaring need.
While landing four-star recruit Ethan Taylor was a step in the right direction, Izzo knew he needed more. Enter Anton Bonke from the transfer portal, who, along with sophomore Jesse McCulloch, is expected to fortify the Spartans' frontcourt.
But the work didn't stop there. The two-guard spot was another area in need of attention.
While Jordan Scott has shown potential, his skill set leans more towards a small forward role, especially after bulking up in the offseason. This opens up opportunities for him to be a versatile backup to Coen Carr at the three, potentially logging significant minutes on the wing.
The spotlight, however, is on the shooting guard position. While Scott might still see time there, Jasiah Jervis is the new addition that has fans buzzing. Kur Teng, a returning player, is also in the mix for the starting role, but Jervis brings a level of excitement and potential that’s hard to ignore.
At the Moneyball Pro-Am, Jervis has been turning heads. His breakout performance showcased his scoring ability at all levels, along with a surprising knack for slashing to the basket.
After a strong showing in his first game, Jervis followed up with a near-50-point explosion, dropping 44 points on Thursday. Such performances are making a compelling case for him to be the Spartans’ starting two-guard.
Tom Izzo isn't shy about giving freshmen significant roles if they prove they can elevate the team. Jervis appears to be one of those players, potentially providing the scoring punch Michigan State lacked outside of Jeremy Fears last season. If Jervis can maintain this form while sharing the backcourt with the All-American Fears, the Spartans could very well find themselves in the national title conversation come April.
With aspirations of winning a national title, Jervis is eager to make an impact right out of the gate. The stage is set for an exciting season in East Lansing, with Jervis ready to be a key piece in Michigan State's championship puzzle.
In Other News...
Tom Izzos New 2027 Big Man Target Says Plenty About MSU
Tom Izzos latest move on the recruiting trail says plenty about the kind of frontcourt piece Michigan State is chasing for 2027. After the Philly Live event, the Spartans put a public scholarship offer in front of Jaydn Jenkins, a four-star big man whose game already has the traits Izzo tends to value: size, defense, and enough versatility to fit a modern lineup. At 6-foot-9, Jenkins has drawn attention for the way he can impact the floor without needing everything run through him.
The bigger picture for Michigan State is what makes the offer stand out. There are only a handful of roster openings available in that class, so every target matters, and Jenkins is clearly near the top of the list. He is still early in his development, but the combination of his physical tools and long-term upside gives the Spartans a compelling option to monitor as the recruiting board starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Freshman Big Already Looks Like An Izzo Project
Ethan Taylor has barely gotten his Michigan State career started, but the freshman big already fits the mold of a Tom Izzo frontcourt project. A former top center prospect who spent part of the summer on Team USAs roster, Taylor arrived with real pedigree, and he has already noticed the kind of coaching and attention to detail that tend to define the Spartans big-man development.
Taylor has been upbeat about the early adjustment, saying the lessons are landing quickly as he learns what it takes to play in East Lansing. For a young center with long-term upside, that matters as much as any recruiting label, and it is why Michigan State seems to believe his best basketball is still ahead over the coming seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Draymond Green Just Triggered A Massive NBA Power Shift
Draymond Greens latest offseason decision has already sent a ripple through the NBA, and it starts with his choice to decline his $27.7 million player option for the upcoming season and hit free agency. For the Golden State Warriors, that kind of move does more than change one roster spot. It opens up flexibility at a moment when the franchise is once again being discussed in the kind of star-heavy terms that only come around when the leagues biggest names are in play.
From there, the speculation gets loud fast. Greens status has fueled talk of a reshaped Warriors core with Stephen Curry at the center, and the possibilities have even drifted into the kind of dream lineup that would pair him with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Whether anything comes of it remains to be seen, but the fact that Greens decision has put Golden State back into that conversation says plenty about how much leverage one veteran can still create in the NBA. [Read more 🡒]