Carson Cooper’s Senior Surge: From Project to Pillar at Michigan State
Four years ago, Carson Cooper arrived in East Lansing as a bit of a mystery. A late addition to Tom Izzo’s roster, Cooper was an unranked recruit who played on the B team at IMG Academy - a level below the spotlight, and far from the radar of major college programs.
Most saw him as a long-term project. Izzo saw something more.
Fast forward to now, and Cooper’s development is one of the more compelling stories in the Big Ten. He’s gone from a low-minute freshman to a senior centerpiece - a steady, athletic 7-footer who’s doing a little bit of everything for Michigan State, and doing it well.
The Early Years: Laying the Foundation
Cooper didn’t burst onto the scene. As a freshman, he played just 6.6 minutes per game, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds.
The numbers were modest, but there were glimpses - flashes of footwork, hustle on the glass, and a willingness to do the dirty work. He wasn’t polished, but he was learning.
By his sophomore year, the minutes tripled. Cooper averaged over 17 minutes a night, contributing 3.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. His defensive presence started to take shape, and his confidence began to catch up with his physical tools.
As a junior, the growth continued. His numbers ticked up again - 5.0 points, 5.2 rebounds - but there was a slight dip in his defensive impact, with his combined steals and blocks (or “stocks”) dropping from 1.1 to 0.8 per game. He was still a plus defender, but not quite as disruptive as he’d been the year prior.
The Senior Leap
Now, in his final season, Cooper has taken a massive step forward - the kind of leap that turns heads. He’s doubled his scoring to 10.5 points per game, upped his rebounding to 7.2, and is back to being a defensive force with 1.8 stocks per night. He’s also posting a career-high 1.5 assists, showing improved vision and decision-making from the post.
This version of Carson Cooper is no longer a developmental piece. He’s a two-way anchor - a big who can run the floor, finish lobs, protect the rim, and switch onto quicker players without getting burned.
His lateral quickness, especially for a player his size, is a real asset. He’s staying in front of ball-handlers, rotating well, and making smart reads on both ends.
And while he’s not stretching the floor with a three-point shot, he’s added enough mid-range touch to keep defenses honest. That’s a product of years of work - with Izzo, with assistant Saddi Washington, and through countless reps behind the scenes.
What Comes Next?
Cooper may not be a lock for the NBA Draft, but he’s certainly played his way into the conversation. With elite size, athleticism, and toughness - the kind of traits that can’t be coached - he’s likely earned a shot in the NBA Summer League. From there, a G-League opportunity wouldn’t be far-fetched.
What stands out most, though, is the arc of his journey. From a little-known IMG B-teamer to a key piece of a Tom Izzo rotation, Cooper is the latest in a long line of Spartan players who’ve trusted the process and reaped the rewards.
He’s the kind of player every good team needs - one who does the dirty work, plays within himself, and makes winning plays. And this season, he’s doing it all at a high level.
Carson Cooper isn’t just a feel-good story anymore. He’s a force in the Big Ten - and Michigan State’s unlikely hero.