Saoirse Downs
Michigan State University's basketball team, the Spartans, has been making offers and recruiting players for its roster. The Spartans have secured highly-rated players like Jordan Scott and Cam Ward from the 2025 class and have shown interest in elite prospects like Prince-Alexander Moody for the 2026 class. MSU, like other college basketball programs, is navigating the transfer portal and the impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights on recruitment. Head coach Tom Izzo is focusing on finding talented guards and backup big men to fill roster spots. The Spartans are also evaluating current players like Akins, Teng, and Kohler, who are expected to contribute significantly to the team's performance this season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players leaving the team | 3 |
| Names of players leaving the team | Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, Szymon Zapala |
| Number of players who entered the transfer portal | 4 |
| Names of players who entered the transfer portal | Tre Holloman, Gehrig Normand, Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears Jr. |
| Number of highly-rated forwards secured from the 2025 class | 2 |
| Names of highly-rated forwards secured from the 2025 class | Jordan Scott, Cam Ward |
| Number of priority targets for the 2025 class | 5 |
| Names of priority targets for the 2025 class | Jalen Haralson, Niko Bundalo, Ward, Scott, Trent Sisley |
| Number of offers from the 2026 class | 2 |
| Names of players offered from the 2026 class | Prince-Alexander Moody, Jonathan Sanderson |
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What You'll Learn
MSU's interest in four-star recruits
Michigan State University (MSU) has shown a keen interest in four-star recruits for its basketball and football teams. In basketball, the Spartans have shown interest in four-star recruits like Jonathan Sanderson and Indiana's DeZhon Hall. The team has also offered a place to elite point guard Prince-Alexander Moody, a four-star recruit and the 76th overall prospect in the 2026 class.
MSU's football team has also demonstrated a growing interest in four-star athletes. Under Coach Jonathan Smith, the team has shifted its focus to recruiting higher-ranked players, primarily four-star athletes, for future recruiting classes. This shift in strategy is a well-planned effort to rebuild Michigan State's football program and return it to national prominence.
In June 2025, 15 prospects committed to MSU's football team, including 13 three-star recruits and a pair of four-star recruits for the 2026 class. This success in recruiting is attributed to Smith and his staff, who have been able to attract top talent from across the country, even beating out some of the top SEC programs.
MSU's basketball team has also been active in the transfer portal, with players like Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker, and Gehrig Normand entering the portal after the 2025 season. The team is led by head coach Tom Izzo, who has prioritised culture, chemistry, and development. Players like Zapala, Kohler, Teng, and Akins are expected to contribute significantly to the team's success.
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The impact of the transfer portal
The transfer portal has provided student-athletes with more opportunities and flexibility in their athletic and academic pursuits. It allows players to transfer institutions without a redshirt year, providing a chance to move to a more competitive stage and gain exposure. This was particularly beneficial for athletes from junior colleges or lower-ranked DI schools. Additionally, the portal enables athletes to test the waters of the NBA Draft while maintaining the option to return to school.
However, the transfer portal has also presented challenges for teams and coaches, who constantly reshape their rosters. At MSU, the transfer portal has directly impacted their basketball program. In 2025, shortly after the Spartans' season ended, junior guard Tre Holloman, sophomore forward Xavier Booker, and redshirt freshman Gehrig Normand entered the transfer portal. This development signaled that even programs prioritizing culture, chemistry, and development, like MSU, were not immune to the new realities of college sports.
The transfer portal has also been influenced by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, with high-profile transfers commanding seven-figure deals. This has further complicated the dynamics of recruitment and roster movement, as players can now explore their market value and make decisions based on financial incentives.
Overall, the impact of the transfer portal on MSU and college basketball as a whole has been significant. It has provided athletes with more options and opportunities but has also created a volatile and market-driven environment that teams and coaches must navigate. The transfer portal has shifted the traditional dynamics of college basketball, and institutions like MSU are adjusting to these changes in real time.
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MSU's 2025-26 roster
Roster
The Spartans have secured two highly-rated forwards from the 2025 class: Jordan Scott and Cam Ward. They have also shown interest in four-star recruits Jonathan Sanderson and Indiana's DeZhon Hall.
Departures
Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker, and Gehrig Normand have all entered the transfer portal.
Potential Departures
Booker's future is uncertain, and while Izzo has expressed a desire for him to stay, it is unclear if he will transfer out to find more playing time. Jase Richardson is also a potential departure, with Izzo commenting that the door is 'not fully closed' on his return.
Returning Players
Returning players include Jeremy Fears Jr., who will be the starting point guard, and Coen Carr, who impressed last season with his rebounding, defence, and athleticism. Other returning players are Jaxon Kohler, who has been praised for his rebounding and offensive potential, and Kur Teng, who is a talented shooter but is expected to have limited playing time this season.
New Additions
Recent additions to the roster include Trey Fort and Kaleb Glenn. Fort's addition will allow Kur Teng to develop without pressure, and Glenn adds depth to the forward position.
Potential Additions
With the departure of Holloman and Normand, the Spartans will likely add at least one, if not two, guards to fill the void. There is also speculation that MSU could add another player similar to Zapala, a big man with size and skill.
Overall Outlook
While the roster is not yet finalised, the Spartans have a good foundation with a mix of returning players and new additions. The team will likely see a lot of lineup variations depending on matchups, and Izzo's ability to adapt and develop young players will be key to their success.
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MSU's recruiting strategy
Michigan State University's (MSU) men's basketball team has traditionally avoided the transfer portal, but in 2025, three players entered the portal, signalling that even MSU cannot avoid the new realities of college sports. MSU's head coach, Tom Izzo, has long prioritised culture, chemistry, and development, but in the age of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), the transfer portal, and early NBA departures, recruiting has become more challenging.
To recruit these players, MSU's coaching staff likely built relationships with the players and their families, and the players got to know the academic programs and important members of the coaching staff. MSU's recruiting strategy may also involve offering scholarships and having an online presence, such as a recruiting questionnaire and player profiles, to help players and coaches connect.
MSU's strategy of focusing on culture, chemistry, and development has resulted in successful transfers in the past, such as Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala, who fit seamlessly into the program. The team is also able to develop players, as seen with Coen Carr's rapid growth into a legitimate star. MSU's ability to develop players and create a positive culture may be a key part of their recruiting strategy, especially with the new challenges presented by NIL and the transfer portal.
Overall, MSU's recruiting strategy appears to be focused on building relationships, adapting to the changing landscape of college sports, and offering a positive and development-oriented team culture.
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MSU's basketball rules and regulations
Michigan State University (MSU) has a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for basketball, which are designed to promote fair play and sportsmanship. Here is an overview of some of the key rules and regulations for MSU basketball:
Player, Coach, and Spectator Conduct:
Harassing language or behaviours targeting a person's race, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, handicapping condition, or political beliefs are strictly prohibited. The intramural staff are authorised to penalise, disqualify, and eject individuals engaging in such behaviours.
Playoffs:
Teams must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the playoffs. For instance, a team will not qualify for the playoffs if they have had more than two ejections during the regular season. Additionally, any player ejected during the playoffs will be ineligible for the remainder of the tournament.
Team Composition:
MSU basketball teams have specific gender requirements for their players. A team of five must consist of three women and two men, while a team of four must have two men and two women.
Fouls and Ejections:
Players are disqualified after committing their fifth foul and are ejected after two technical fouls, one flagrant foul, or one flagrant technical foul. Technical, Intentional, and Flagrant fouls result in two points being awarded to the offended team.
Overtime:
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, there is an overtime period of three minutes, consisting of two minutes of running time and one minute of stop time. A jump ball at centre court starts the extra period, and foul totals carry over into overtime. Each team is allowed one timeout during overtime. If the score remains tied after overtime in the regular season, the game ends as a draw, but in playoff games, additional extra periods are played until a winner emerges.
Starting the Game and Playing Period:
Each team must field at least four players at the designated game time to avoid forfeiture. The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting nine minutes, with one-minute intervals between quarters and three minutes between halves. The clock rules are specific, with it stopping only for injuries and official timeouts, regardless of fouls, held balls, or violations, unless there are less than two minutes remaining in the second half or overtime period.
Timeouts:
Each team is entitled to one 30-second timeout per half, and these do not carry over between periods. In the overtime period, each team is allowed one additional timeout.
Coaching Challenges:
The NCAA introduced a new rule allowing coaches to challenge calls, provided they have a timeout available. A successful challenge grants them an additional challenge for the rest of the game, while an unsuccessful one means no more challenges for the remainder of the game. Challenges are limited to specific situations, such as out-of-bounds rulings, basket interference, and goaltending.
Continuous Motion Rule:
The continuous motion rule has been amended to count a made field goal resulting from a player pivoting or finishing their step after drawing contact en route to the basket. Previously, an "and-1" opportunity was only given for a foul while shooting.
Other Rules:
MSU also has rules in place for substitutions, specifying that substitutes must check in at the scorer's table and enter only when instructed by officials. Additionally, players may re-enter the game multiple times unless disqualified due to fouls or ejected. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in university recreational areas, and any violation will be reported to the MSU Police Department. Additional rules govern kickball, another sport at MSU.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2024, MSU has offered spots to Prince-Alexander Moody, an elite point guard from the 2026 class, and two highly-rated forwards from the 2025 class: Jordan Scott and Cam Ward.
The Michigan State Spartans.
The MSU basketball team's roster for the 2024-2025 season includes players such as Teng, Kohler, Zapala, Fears, and Akins.
The MSU basketball team recently had a 30-win season and made it to the Elite Eight before losing to the number one seed, Auburn.
The college basketball landscape has shifted with the emergence of the transfer portal, name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and early departures to the NBA. MSU, which previously avoided the transfer portal, is now utilising it for recruitment under the guidance of head coach Tom Izzo.
