A Michigan State starter is the 3rd-most improved 3-point shooter in the country

Some Michigan State fans have had a lot to say about Tom Izzo’s offseason acquisitions from the transfer portal over the last two years, but he’s gotten guys who have complemented the teams perfectly — and most have exceeded expectations.

One transfer, in particular, has not just exceeded expectations, but he’s been one of the most improved 3-point shooters in the country.

That transfer is Divine Ugochukwu, and according to CBB Analytics, he’s the third-most-improved 3-point shooter in the entire country this season, with a minimum of 25 attempts.

Only two players in college basketball have improved their 3-point shooting more this season than Ugochukwu. His improvement this season has been incredible, especially considering the biggest knock on Izzo landing him in the transfer portal was that he couldn’t shoot so it made no sense for the Hall of Famer to add him to a roster that desperately needed shooters.

It looks like Izzo knew exactly what he was doing and he trusted in himself and the rest of his staff to aid in Ugochukwu’s immediate improvement. OK, so Izzo probably didn’t expect him to be this improved right away, but he knew Ugochukwu had potential.

Now he’s the third-most-improved perimeter shooter in the country. Who would’ve though?

Divine Ugochukwu is going to be really good

I’ll admit, when Michigan State added Ugochukwu, I didn’t really get it. I mean, I did, but I also didn’t. I knew Izzo had to get a backup point guard option who didn’t expect to play starter’s minutes, but he also needed to find a shooter. He settled on getting one of those.

Fortunately, he ended up getting both — and a starter.

Ugochukwu has improved into one of the better shooters on a Big Ten title contender after spending his freshman season at Miami shooting under 20 percent from deep. He’s only getting better, too.

The sophomore transfer from Miami is averaging 5.2 points per game and his shooting numbers have all improved from last season. He’s more confident now than he was at the beginning of the season, and his breakout performance against Penn State led to him being inserted into the starting lineup as the team’s two-guard.

Now he needs to keep improving at this rate and he’s going to end up being a special player with his own place in Michigan State history — hopefully on a national title team.