Michigan State Basketball: Final starting 5 projections for 2021-22 season
![Michigan State's Max Christie moves with the ball against Ferris State during the first half on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.211027 Msu Ferris 107a Michigan State's Max Christie moves with the ball against Ferris State during the first half on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.211027 Msu Ferris 107a](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/904635dcfc75b9310e99c37299d6326e1bb768ec053c2fa6db607e5fc24f827f.jpg)
This one is a no-brainer and Tom Izzo has said multiple times that Max Christie has pretty much locked up one of the starting spots this season.
And after watching his two exhibition games, it’s pretty obvious as to why that is. Christie might end up being Michigan State’s best player this season and he’s just a freshman. There’s a reason Izzo is so high on him and it’s rare that he hypes up a first-year player like this, but Christie seems wise beyond his years and has a certain leadership quality that you can’t teach.
Plus, he can flat-out ball.
Christie led the team in scoring in its first two exhibition games and he scored from everywhere on the floor. He reminds me a little of Gary Harris and I think he may actually have a higher ceiling. He was ranked the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2021 class for a reason.
What has impressed me more than his scoring ability and the fact that he looks polished on both ends of the floor already is the fact that he’s added some muscle and looks like he can hang in the Big Ten at the shooting guard spot. He’s a lock to start all year as long as he’s healthy.