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Michigan State Recruiting: Updated top 5 remaining 2018 basketball targets

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Hameir Wright, 4-star SF, Albany (N.Y.)

Not often do you see Izzo recruiting kids from the state of New York. In fact, the head coach likes to stay in the Midwest when taking a look at prospects in states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Sometimes he takes a look down south or out west, but it’s still rare.

Hameir Wright is an exception to his usual areas of interest. He was the New York Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017 and he plays stronger than his 6-foot-7, 203-pound frame may indicate. He’s not afraid to put the ball on the floor and make a power move to the basket, usually drawing fouls.

Moreover, he’s a solid defender who knows how to stay away from foul trouble, at least on tape, by keeping his long arms straight up in the air. Michigan State has been in foul trouble, especially the bigs, in recent years because of its inability to hammer down the right techniques. Wright doesn’t reach over and reach in, he keeps his arms up an it often leads to blocked shots with no body contact.

The Albany-native is ranked the No. 51 recruit in the class and 14th-best small forward, according to the 247Sports composite. Villanova and Syracuse may lead for him because of proximity, but Izzo isn’t ready to give up just yet.

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