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Michigan State Basketball: 4-star PF Marcus Bingham Jr. to decide Friday

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 14, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a play during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a play during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball is set to learn its fate with 2018 four-star power forward Marcus Bingham Jr. on Friday.

Not often do you see a top target pick a rival school and the next day another priority prospect announces his decision, but that’s what’s happening with Michigan State. Brandon Johns picked Michigan on Thursday and Marcus Bingham Jr. announced that he will pick a school Friday.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: Top 5 remaining 2018 basketball targets

If the four-star forward from Grand Rapids, Mich., picks the Spartans, that would halt any momentum Michigan had in the state on the recruiting trail. Many believe Bingham Jr. has the potential to be the state’s top-rated player before he gets to college.

However, when you look at Bingham Jr.’s body of work, you’d be drawn to believe he needs to grow into his body. He stands 6-foot-10 and weighs only 195 pounds, making him a beanstalk in a system where Tom Izzo prefers tree trunks.

Fortunately, he can add weight, so that won’t be an issue. He has the look of a skinnier Adreian Payne-type of player who has no problem playing elite post defense as well as draining the outside shot every now and then. His versatility makes him a top Spartan target in the 2018 class.

With Johns committing to Michigan Thursday, getting Bingham Jr. is an even bigger priority for the Spartans.

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for June

Bingham Jr. is listed as the No. 79 overall player and 21st-best power forward in the 2018 class, according to the 247Sports‘ composite. He’s also the second-best in-state prospect. Five schools recruiting him the hardest have been MSU, Ohio State, Purdue, Butler and Missouri.

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