Michigan State Basketball: Is Jaren Jackson Jr. the best freshman of the Izzo era?
Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. walked away with the Big Ten Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year awards on Monday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a unicorn. The freshman sensation has been a monster for Michigan State this season and he’s been a star on a team that features players like Miles Bridges, Nick Ward, Josh Langford and Cassius Winston. His list of accomplishments is growing by the day.
Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Wisconsin
On Monday, Jackson Jr. was named a third-team All-Big Ten selection, which is surprising given the fact that he was the conference’s best freshman.
In fact, he was also named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and shooting over 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range. The kid could do it all.
Moreover, he recorded the single-season blocks record and now has over 100 on the season. This has led to his distinction of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as well.
Jaren Jackson Jr. named the Big Ten freshman of the year and Big Ten defensive player of the year.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) February 26, 2018
Two major awards for the first-year big man, but is he Tom Izzo’s best freshman ever? To me, it’s not even a debate. He’s had guys put up better offensive numbers as freshmen, even Ward and Bridges last year, but he’s never had a player quite like Jackson Jr. who could do it all.
Before this season, you’d argue that Bridges was Izzo’s best freshman ever, but that has all changed with the emergence of his most unique player of all time (Jackson Jr.).
Jackson Jr. is an incredible defender who can guard the 3-point line, lock down in the paint, block a crazy amount of shots, score from anywhere on the floor and even put the ball on the floor to create his own shots. How many 6-foot-11 players can you remember that did that under Izzo in year one? None.
If you’re wondering if this kid is Izzo’s best freshman ever, the easy answer is yes. The real question will be, is he the most talented player Izzo has ever coached? That would be an even more intriguing debate and Jackson Jr. might take the cake there, too.
Enjoy Jackson Jr. while he lasts, folks. This is a once-in-a-decade talent.
Other Spartans named All-Big Ten recipients
Jackson Jr. wasn’t the only Spartan to be named to an All-Big Ten team on Monday as Bridges (first-team), Cassius Winston (third-team) and Ward (third-team) all made the list.
Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February
The only Michigan State starter to miss out on All-Big Ten honors was Josh Langford, but watch out for him next season, and even down the stretch in March. He has the potential to be a special player.