Michigan State Basketball: Enoch Boakye should be top 2022 priority

If Michigan State basketball is going to land another impressive recruiting class in 2022, Tom Izzo needs to make Enoch Boakye a priority.

Pierre Brooks is Michigan State’s only commitment in either the 2021 or 2022 classes and Tom Izzo knows that it’s about time to start turning up the pressure.

Who will be the Spartans’ next commitment? Many believe it will be point guard Jaden Akins or Max Christie while blue-chippers like James Graham, Kobe Bufkin, Charles Bediako and Jeremy Sochan are also on the radar. There are plenty of big names on the board.

The 2021 class is obviously the No. 1 priority for Izzo as it still needs to be filled up so the head coach can start planning on 2022.

While the 2021 class is important right now, 2022 could end up being one of Izzo’s best, if all goes as planned.

Michigan State basketball’s top 2022 priority

Izzo reached out to Canada’s No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class as soon as the dead period ended last week. He was one of the calls the Hall of Fame head coach made after midnight, following his most important conversation with the No. 1 overall recruit Emoni Bates from Ypsilati.

It’s obvious that Bates would be the No. 1 priority for the Spartans in 2022 but there’s a good chance that he’ll either reclassify or head straight to the NBA — depending on rule changes.

In that case, that “top priority” distinction would have to fall on Boakye’s shoulders. He would take over that No. 1 spot on the big board because the Spartans will be down Xavier Tillman, potentially Joey Hauser, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Thomas Kithier. That’s not even mentioning that Mady Sissoko could be a potential one or two-and-done player. Boakye will be needed in the post.

What sets him apart from the other bigs MSU is recruiting in 2021 and 2022 is the fact that he has an elite back-to-basket game and he can be a dominant rim protector. Izzo drools over bigs like that.

Boakye is one heck of an athlete, he can make jumpers and he’s strong so he has no problem backing down defenders with a solid 6-10, 240-pound frame.

If Izzo wants to maintain a dominant post presence for years to come after Tillman, he needs to make sure Boakye feels the love.