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NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early takeaways from 2021 recruiting classes

By Tristan Freeman

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Michigan State’s pathway to a No. 1 overall class

Right now, the Michigan State Spartans already have a quality 2021 recruiting class. Five-star shooting guard Max Christie is part of the group, along with top-70 perimeter players Jaden Akins and Pierre Brooks. Currently, this is good for the No. 5 overall class.

While they could do more on the recruiting trail, the Spartans seem to not be targeting anyone. And that could be for good reason if the rumors are true about a pair of reclassifications.

Besides the 2021 guards, Michigan State also landed the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class in Emoni Bates. The 6’8 small forward has been compared to LeBron James and would be on the level of Zion Williamson when he was at Duke in terms of media attention. The team also landed top-35 center Enoch Boakye, who could eventually end up rated as a “five-star” athlete as well.

There have been talks about Bates moving up a class to play a year from now, especially if the “one and done” rule isn’t taken away by then. If that happens, Boakye likely would follow, bolstering the Spartans class to No. 1 overall without question, and potentially No. 1 in the preseason for 2021-22. Expect there to be some strong consideration for Bates if he’s willing to play in college.

Michigan State may need to know what Bates and Boakye do so that they aren’t in a tough position for the next 6-8 months. If they do reclassify, Florida State, Baylor and Villanova will have to look up in the recruiting rankings.

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