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Michigan State Basketball: Final player grades for 2017-18 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

. F/C. Freshman. JAREN JACKSON JR.. B+

The final starter is Jaren Jackson Jr. The freshman big man was an absolute beast when he was able to avoid foul trouble and stay on the floor for at least 20 minutes.

Tom Izzo felt the heat in the final game of the year against Syracuse, sitting Jackson Jr. during the most crucial point of the game when he could have been in there providing length, scoring ability from the top of the key and rebounding. Unfortunately, it’s something Izzo may be haunted with for years.

The 6-foot-11 freshman got better throughout the season. He began as a lanky post player who liked to shoot threes and make the occasional dunk, but he grew into a ferocious inside-out player who could drain threes but also get down and dirty in the post or even drive to the basket, creating his own shot.

Jackson Jr. may be the most naturally-talented player Izzo has ever coached and if he gets one more year with the Indiana-native, he could turn him into one of the best players in college basketball — if he isn’t already.

Finishing his freshman season with a 10.9-point, 5.8-rebound average is nice and all, but he was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, breaking the single-season Michigan State record for blocks with 106. He shot 51 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.

This kid is good.

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