Michigan State Basketball: Impact of landing 5-star big man Xavier Booker

The commitment of Xavier Booker could be the start of a recruiting class for Michigan State Basketball like the 2016 class group.

This incoming 2023 recruiting class for Michigan State Basketball has a 2016 feel to it but when Emoni Bates and Enoch Boakye de-committed from the 2021 class and the Spartans missed out on some top-tier recruits in 2022, a decent group of Michigan State fans remains skeptical that commits for the green and white will actually sign with Tom Izzo and the Spartans. However, this incoming class seems more likely to honor their commitments and look similar to the 2016 recruiting class.

This 2023 incoming recruiting class for Michigan State started with the commitment of guard Jeremy Fears who is considered a top 50 recruit. Now with the commitment of Xavier Booker, this is an enormous recruiting win for the Spartans as he is the No. 3 overall ranked 2023 basketball recruit according to 247 Sports.

Booker is listed at 6’10 and 205 pounds. His overall talent is on par with former Michigan State standout Jaren Jackson Jr. who is now thriving with the Memphis Grizzlies. Rivals.com has Booker ranked the No. 1 overall recruit which would make him the highest-rated recruit for Tom Izzo and his program.

The reason why he is rated so high is that he may not do everything great but he does everything well. He is not an elite three-point shooter or ball handler but at his height, who is? He more than likely is a one and done a top five lottery pick in 2024 as his talent is above many others. His determination and motivation to keep getting better and better is why he has climbed so high in the recruiting rankings recently.

Around the basket, he looks unstoppable at times as his footwork and his ability to finish around the rim are seen by some as absolutely exceptional. He can also shoot the ball well from the outside, especially for a non-guard.

He is also continually working to become a top-tier stretch four as he is getting ready to not only compete but potentially dominate on the collegiate level and he can legitimately guard positions five through three and probably can keep up with a decent amount of shooting guards on the defensive end. Not only is he projected to have an immediate impact with Michigan State once he arrives on campus, but his ability to recruit others to East Lansing is also important as well.

Along with Fears, Devin Royal is rumored to possibly join up with Booker to make this incoming 2023 recruiting class legendary.

If Royal ends up choosing the Spartans, he, Fears, and Booker make up an outstanding Big Three for the Spartans. Booker will be the star of the class but Fear and Royal are all top 75 players. Many are still predicting Royal to pick Ohio State but if he chooses Michigan State, the Spartans will have a very bright future.