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Michigan State Recruiting: 10 priority 2017 basketball targets

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans and mascot Sparty huddle prior to a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans and mascot Sparty huddle prior to a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marvin Clark Jr. (15) defends Florida Gators guard Benji Bell (3) during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marvin Clark Jr. (15) defends Florida Gators guard Benji Bell (3) during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State has yet to really dive into Grand Rapids big man Xavier Tillman’s highlight tapes, but don’t be shocked if that happens before the start of the 2016-17 season. Not often do elite in-state prospects sneak by Izzo without getting furiously recruited.

According to 247Sports, Tillman is the top player in Michigan and the No. 79 overall player in the nation for 2017. He’s also ranked as the No. 16 power forward in the class and the Crystal Ball has him as a Michigan-lean.

Tillman’s offer list is quite impressive despite not being as hefty as some other top prospects in the class. He’s been offered by the likes of Xavier, Purdue, Marquette, Notre Dame, Kentucky and N.C. State. Many believe he could take his talents to Kentucky since that offer was a big deal for him, but Michigan might be the Spartans’ top competition.

It doesn’t happen much these days, but John Beilein could potentially beat out Izzo for Tillman, although the Spartans haven’t been heavily communicating with him over the past year. Another thing that could help the Wolverines with Tillman is the fact that his mother played basketball at Michigan for four years.

Look for him to choose between Michigan, Kentucky and Michigan State before it’s all said and done.

Next: 8. Nojel Eastern

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