Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball have seen some elite athletes come through the program over the years. There have been guys like Jason Richardson, Shannon Brown, Branden Dawson, Miles Bridges, and most recently, Coen Carr.
But if you ask Jase Richardson who the best of the bunch was, he'll tell you it's Carr.
In fact, Richardson was asked who he would take in a dunk contest between his dad (Jason Richardson) and Carr, he didn't hesitate with his answer: "Coen".
Jase went on to say that he believes Carr is the best athlete that Michigan State basketball has ever seen. That's some high praise for a guy whose dad won two NBA Dunk Contests.
Jase Richardson, the son of Michigan State 2000 National Champion Jason Richardson, was asked “Who would you take in a dunk contest, Coen (Carr) or your dad?”
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) January 15, 2025
He answer in less than a heartbeat: “Coen.”
“I think Coen’s the best athlete in Michigan State basketball (history).”… pic.twitter.com/4Qmvqy033L
Talk about high praise from someone who knows a thing or two about elite athleticism. He watched his dad throw everything down back in his prime and was one of the best dunkers in the world. He won two NBA Dunk Contests, as previously mentioned, and was an NBA All-Star. His Michigan State highlights are some of the most fun to watch.
But Richardson hasn't quite seen anything like Carr. He gets up there with ease and throws down some of the meanest dunks you'll ever see. Even his teammates are in constant awe.
While Carr is lauded for being one of the best athletes in the nation and the best in Michigan State history (per Richardson), he is developing his game to be more of an all-around player. He's rebounding, defending, running, and scoring from different spots on the floor (he's even made two threes this year). His growth has been fun to watch.
But man, I'd pay to see a dunk contest between him and prime J-Rich.