Michigan State basketball setting sights on 2021 SF James Graham

James Graham is the latest 2021 recruit to get an offer from Michigan State basketball. The unranked recruit is quickly gaining steam.

The 2021 recruiting class has just gotten started with the commitment of Pierre Brooks at the end of April, but Tom Izzo is aiming to fill it up so he can have a good idea of what his roster might look like in 2021-22.

Brooks is off the board and the Spartans are still looking at guys like Kobe Bufkin, Jaden Akins, Max Christie, Charles Bediako and a potential reclassification from Emoni Bates. The latter is the least likely to happen, but the Spartans seem to be in good shape with the two four-star guards, five-star small forward and five-star center, respectively.

A new name has emerged, however.

On Monday, Michigan State extended an offer to unranked James Graham from Nicolet High in Milwaukee, Wisc.

The offer was a bit surprising seeing as Michigan State has its top targets mapped out, but this could be a heck of a backup plan.

Michigan State basketball joins impressive list

Although he’s not ranked on 247Sports or via the composite, there’s been talk that Graham is one of the quickest-rising recruits in the class. If there was summer ball or camps open over the next couple of months, we might see him make a massive jump, potentially into the top 100 nationally.

For now, though, Michigan State joins a list of schools that have realized his talent and are lobbying to land the hidden gem from Wisconsin.

The Spartans are the latest to join the party but he holds offers from Maryland, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia, Missouri, Rutgers, Wake Forest and Xavier. He’s also drawing interest from Oregon, Iowa, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

It’s easy to see why.

Graham has an intriguing style of play. He’s a 6-8, 210-pound power forward who can play inside out but is a very strong finisher around the rim. He’s a plus defender and he’s not afraid to hunt for his own shots on the offensive end of the floor. He can hit step-back jumpers, run the floor well, finish above the rim and even hit the occasional three.

Michigan State got in at a good time because this kid is about to blow up.