Michigan State Basketball: Constructing ideal 2021 recruiting class

Duke or Michigan State basketball for Christie?

While Max Christie is listed as a shooting guard, he can play on the wing and that’s exactly how he’d be utilized at Michigan State.

Christie is athletic enough to handle the ball, create for himself, finish around the rim, score from the perimeter and defend at a high level which is why Tom Izzo is so high on him. Unfortunately for the Hall of Fame head coach, Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils have also made him a priority, but they may be putting five-star big Charles Bediako ahead of him on their big board.

If that’s the case, Michigan State may be able to swoop in and steal Christie from Duke and lure him to East Lansing.

Even if he doesn’t pick Duke, the Spartans will have to fend off in-state programs such as Northwestern and Illinois for the Rolling Meadows, Ill., native.

The 6-6, 165-pound wing is arguably No. 2 on the current prospect big board for the Spartans behind Jaden Akins. If the green and white can land Pierre Brooks and Akins in the backcourt in 2021, that will allow Christie to play on the wing and even round out the backcourt when needed. That trio would make up arguably the best backcourt in the 2021 class.

Christie is a five-star prospect, ranked No. 12 in the nation. He’s also the country’s top shooting guard and Illinois-based recruit.