Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Could 5-star PG Tyrese Maxey be an option in 2018?

By Connor Muldowney

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan State basketball is looking at potentially adding another recruit to its 2019 class. Could five-star guard Tyrese Maxey be that guy?

Everyone just assumes Michigan State’s 2018 recruiting class is sewn up with Foster Loyer, Marcus Bingham Jr., Gabe Brown, Aaron Henry and Thomas Kithier, but there could be another opening. If that’s the case, the Spartans could look at a reclassification addition.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from 2018 spring game

Although he’s been thought to be a 2019 class member since Michigan State began recruiting him, five-star point guard Tyrese Maxey is considering a reclassification and said that the Spartans are one of five teams pushing the hardest for him.

According to Evan Daniels of 247Sports, the five-star guard says five schools are pushing him the hardest. Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Texas and Kentucky are the programs making a strong push. He spoke highly of the Spartans.

"“Coach [Tom] Izzo was saying that he likes the way I defend and that I can make plays for others and myself and was saying how I’d fit in their offense and that I could help lead them to a National Championship.”"

A guard who can defender either position from 1-2 and make plays for himself and others is always welcome. Michigan State has Cassius Winston making those plays, but doesn’t quite have the athleticism of Maxey.

Many believed that Maxey would be leaning more toward SMU since his father was hired to the staff, but he didn’t mention the Mustangs among the teams recruiting him the hardest. This could be a good sign for the Spartans.

While I don’t think Maxey is leaning toward Michigan State, Tom Izzo did check in with him this past week which means the Spartans are actively trying to add him. What makes that even more intriguing is the fact that Maxey could be trying to reclassify to 2018.

Could he be a realistic option to join the Spartans five-man class?

The answer could be yes if Nick Ward decides to keep his name in the NBA draft pool, but if that’s the case, Vernon Carey Jr.’s reclassification would be more of a priority. Still, Maxey is another scoring option who could bring the Spartans’ offense to the next level and add more guard depth.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 must-have 2019 targets

Maxey is ranked the No. 13 prospect and second-best point guard in the 2019 class, but the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder could be leaning toward Kentucky. The Spartans will be in for a fight if they’re attempting to reel him to East Lansing.

Home/Spartans Basketball