Michigan State Basketball: How realistic an option is 5-star PF Vernon Carey Jr.?
Michigan State is looking to potentially add another piece to its 2018 class or a monster recruit in 2019, but how realistic an option is Vernon Carey Jr.?
Tom Izzo is bringing in one of his deepest recruiting classes in recent memory with five signees, but there could be another on the way, especially if Nick Ward decides to keep his name in the NBA draft.
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Although he hasn’t officially done anything just yet, there’s a good chance five-star power forward Vernon Carey Jr. reclassifies to the 2018 class and Michigan State is very much on his radar, and vice versa.
A week ago, Izzo stopped in to see the 2019 class’ No. 1 overall player, according to 247Sports, and that could have been a move made by the head coach to cover himself in the case of Ward’s permanent departure — although there’s no proof of this.
If Ward is gone, Izzo could pitch the “you’ll be the man” recruiting tactic. It’s true, too. If Ward decides to remain in the NBA draft, he will join Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the other Spartans to depart early, leaving voids at forward positions.
How realistic an option is Carey Jr., though?
Florida’s Mr. Basketball for 2018 has in-state program Miami high on his list along with Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. Back in December, Carey Jr. said that Michigan State, Duke, Miami and North Carolina were recruiting him the hardest, so it’s not unfathomable to see the Spartans make a move.
The chances of him coming to Michigan State and reclassifying to 2018 would increase if Ward remains in the draft. Right now, I’d put the number at about 20 percent. Duke looks to be the favorite with Miami and Michigan State close behind.
Carey Jr., a 6-foot-9, 245-pound monster recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has the ability to be college basketball’s next great big man. The Spartans have their work cut out if they want to land him, but the lure of being ‘the guy’ could bring him to East Lansing.
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As I said before, I’d put the chances of him picking Michigan State at 20 percent and if Ward keeps his name in the draft, closer to 30 percent.