Tom Izzo, Michigan State’s head coach, lays the groundwork for a bright future by introducing a strong trio to the 2018 recruiting class. While not as decorated as prior cohorts, these newcomers are expected to make substantial contributions to the Spartans’ basketball program.

Make substantial contributions to the Spartans’ basketball program.

The class is led by Jase Richardson, the highest-rated new player. Jase, a Michigan State heritage through his father and former Spartan great Jason Richardson, enters East Lansing as the 34th-best player in the nation and the fourth-best combo guard, according to 247Sports rankings. During his time at Miami’s Columbus High School, he averaged 15.3 points, nearly four assists, and four rebounds per game, helping his team win the state championship.

Two other players join Jase, who, while projected to have less immediate effect, have plenty of upside. Kur Teng, a shooting guard from Bradford Christian Academy in Maine, possesses remarkable shooting ability. Although he is still working on his fundamentals, his ability to shoot from a variety of positions indicates a valuable future contributor. Jesse McCulloch, a power forward from Lutheran East in Cleveland, stands noteworthy due to his potential for development. At 6-foot-9, McCulloch’s ability to shoot, rebound, and block suggests that with time, he might play an important role for the Spartans.

Tom Izzo: Building for the Future.
Each recruit has unique strengths that could improve the Spartans’ roster. Despite the need for development in areas including as defense and general game maturity, under Coach Izzo’s leadership, these guys represent significant building bricks for Michigan State. As scouting director Adam Finkelstein pointed out, Jase’s ability to translate promise into consistent success demonstrates a guy poised to elevate his game at the university level.