
3. Recruiting help from Jaren Jackson Jr.
Having a lottery pick in Vernon Carey Jr.’s ear has to be a game-changer and if you were a casual basketball fan and heard that statement, you’d likely think it was in favor of Duke. Not so fast.
Michigan State’s NBA lottery selection from a year ago, Jaren Jackson Jr., has apparently been in close contact with the five-star big man from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the former Spartan star has been talking up his school.
I’ve even been told and heard Jaren Jackson Jr and Vern talk regularly, JJJ is regarded as his “unofficial recruiter.” https://t.co/kSxsKHu7zG
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) December 1, 2018
This may not seem like a huge deal, but any time a top recruit can hear about how great a program or coach is from a kid who was a one-and-done and developed into an all-conference player and top-five draft pick, it definitely causes some extra pondering and gives that program additional points.
While coaches are ultimately responsible for recruiting players, having a guy like Jackson Jr. in the Spartans’ corner is important.
How’s this for a pitch: “I was the last five-star big man Izzo recruited and I was a lottery pick.”