Xavier Booker admits he’s has the best relationship with Tom Izzo

Five-star big man Xavier Booker is enjoying his recruiting process, but he admits that one coach connects with him the best: Tom Izzo.

Tom Izzo has his sights set on one top recruit in the 2023 class: Xavier Booker.

The five-star big man from Indiana has been at the top of Michigan State’s recruiting board for a while now and he’s realizing just how much of a priority the Hall of Fame coach has made him.

Izzo loves Booker’s game and it seems like the admiration is mutual as the nation’s No. 4 prospect admitted to Jamie Shaw of On3 that he has the best relationship with Michigan State’s legendary coach.

All of the Izzo doubters who believe that kids don’t want to play for him because of his intense coaching style are pretty silent right now. Sure, Izzo needs to adjust to the NIL era and start using that to his advantage, but he hasn’t lost his touch on the recruiting trail like some have claimed.

Booker went on to say that Izzo is “real” with him and is already coaching him, in a way.

"“So far, Tom Izzo at Michigan State,” Booker said. “Really, ever since I visited for the first he kept it real with me. He’s told me things about the campus and the program. But he also keeps it real with me, like telling me what I need to work on, like coming to my games and giving me feedback afterward.”"

Michigan State currently has one player committed in its 2023 class in four-star point guard Jeremy Fears and he’s already said he’s trying to get Booker to commit, too.

If Izzo can stay on Booker and maintain that great relationship, leading to a commitment, his 2023 class could end up being a special one with Fears and the big man from Indiana leading the way.