Michigan State Basketball: Ranking Tom Izzo’s top 10 recruiting classes
Mar 12, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish center Garrick Sherman (11) goes up for a layup against Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Devin Thomas (2) in the first round of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
10. Class of 2009
Looking back at the class of 2009, the Spartans seemed to have secured two of the top big men in the nation in four-star Derrick Nix from Detroit and four-star Garrick Sherman from Ohio. The two were expected to be one of the most formidable post duos in MSU history and Izzo had high hopes for the two good friends.
Oh yeah, and football star Dion Sims was brought on to player for the Spartans basketball team as well as a three-star small forward, but recorded just one career minute for the Green & White.
Nix spent most of his career trying to shed pounds in order to be able to play more than three minutes at a time. In his first couple of years with State, Nix found himself gasping for air more often than not and needing to come out of the game after just a few sprints up and down the court. He finished his career with 823 career points.
Sherman wasn’t nearly as successful with Michigan State as he transferred to Notre Dame after his sophomore season, finishing his MSU career with just 176 points. Can’t blame Sherman for leaving, however, as his playing time was likely to remain constant with top classes coming in.
Nix and Sherman both played in one Final Four in 2010 while Nix never made it past the Sweet 16 for the remainder of his MSU career. The big man from Detroit was one of Izzo’s biggest and most successful projects as head coach.
Next: 9. Class of 2011