There aren’t many second-year players in college basketball who figure to have the same impact as Cam Ward and Jordan Scott on Michigan State this season.
Scott entered the starting lineup mid-season as a true freshman and played a large role for a team that was in Big Ten title contention and earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Ward, on the other hand, battled some wrist issues early in the season to return as a strong post presence off the bench. He struggled with his shot and fouling on defense was an issue, but he showed a ton of promise.
Both were also highly-touted prospects out of high school, so seeing them succeed as freshmen wasn’t a huge shock. However, they may be getting overlooked as sophomores already.
A recent ranking of the top 30 sophomores in college basketball listed several budding Big Ten stars, but two very obvious names were missing. Ward and Scott were snubbed, and Jeremy Fears Jr. took exception to it.
Jordan Scott Cam Ward 🫡 https://t.co/BxzDUbqddT
— Jeremy Fears jr. The Floor General (@jeremy_fears) August 10, 2026
It is kind of wild to see some of the names on this list and no Scott or Ward.
Scott started for a Sweet 16 team and could be the starting shooting guard for the 2026-27 team that will likely start the season near the top five. He’s a sharpshooter and lockdown defender who held lottery pick Keaton Wagler in check during the Spartans’ showdown with Illinois. Ward is a projected starter for a top-10 Michigan State team and he figures to have a huge role at the four.
Two sophomore starters for a team projected to be in or near the top five to begin the season not on a list of the top second-year players in college basketball? Make that make sense.
Cam Ward and Jordan Scott are legitimate All-Big Ten talents
It may seem outlandish to say right now before they prove it, but Scott and Ward have the talent to make one of the All-Big Ten teams.
Scott was a pleasant surprise as a true freshman, averaging 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37 percent from three. He also averaged 1.2 stocks (steals + blocks) per game and was an excellent defender. He’s obviously only going to get better this season and he has visibly put on muscle so he may add a new element of driving the lane to his game.
Ward is a physical power forward who may not stretch the floor like Tom Izzo would love, but he’s working on that part of his game and he was one of the top 3-point shooters at Moneyball. He was also dubbed a “likely” starter during a recent podcast appearance with Jon Rothstein. If Ward can clean up his fouls and learn to defend without over-using his hands, he’s going to be a legitimate All-Big Ten candidate.
Scott and Ward could both very well average in double figures this season and they’re good on both ends of the floor.
Yet somehow they’re not top-30 sophomores.
Looks like it’s time to prove people wrong.
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