NCAA Basketball: Predicting best player from top 2021 recruiting classes
By Ian Mumm
11. Michigan State Spartans
Recruiting Class: Max Christie, Jaden Akins, Pierre Brooks, and Keon Coleman
2020 was a difficult year for another one of college basketball’s premier programs: Michigan State. The Spartans really struggled to score the ball consistently, despite adding a talented frontcourt scorer in Joey Hauser and seeing guard Joshua Langford return to full health.
However, the departure of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman from the 2019 class proved to be too big of an obstacle to overcome. The difficulty came from an inability of the backcourt to consistently knock down shots, regardless of location, to space the floor.
This offseason has seen some of those players depart the program, specifically in Rocket Watts (Mississippi State) and Foster Loyer (Davidson), raising more questions about how this year’s backcourt will fair.
However, head coach Tom Izzo smartly pursued a veteran guard via the transfer market in Tyson Walker (Northeastern) to be his new floor general. Likely getting the first shot to lead the Spartans at point guard, Walker has proven himself to be a reliable perimeter threat in a volume-scoring environment with strong defensive tendencies.
Izzo wasn’t done there however and managed to sign a strong trio of guards in Max Christie, Jaden Akins and Pierre Brooks. Each comes to East Lansing with high upside as part of the Michigan State program and differing approaches on the court. The current depth chart and retention of Gabe Brown on the wings solidify a large part of the starting rotation without consideration for the incoming freshman.
Yet the one most likely to receive the starting nod and probability to do so is shooting guard Max Christie. Already proving himself on the national level with Team USA at U16 FIBA tournaments, Christie has the capability to develop into a reliable go-to scorer for Coach Izzo and the Spartans. His 6’6” frame is an asset on the glass and he has showcased himself as a productive defensive player as well. He fits perfectly in Izzo’s system and will quickly rise to the challenges of Big Ten play.
Prediction: Max Christie