Michigan State fans are more than excited about the incoming recruiting class, but the names that are thrown around are usually Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., and Ethan Taylor.
There’s a seemingly forgotten top-85 recruit in Michigan State’s 2026 class that isn’t getting enough love for whatever reason, and I think it’s probably because the rest of the group is so highly-touted. Julius Avent seems to be falling by the wayside when everyone talks about Michigan State’s top-five recruiting class for 2026, but he definitely shouldn’t be.
Avent is a four-star power forward in the 2026 class and he’s ranked No. 84 in the nation. He stands just 6-foot-7, which may be on the smaller side, and weighs in at around 200 pounds. He’s a little smaller than Cam Ward which could be problematic at the four, but I’d expect him to bulk up considerably in East Lansing.
Though Avent may have the size of a typical small forward at the collegiate level, he plays like a big man and he can also provide floor-stretching capabilities.
That’s much needed from the four at Michigan State.
Avent being overlooked in a loaded class isn’t surprising, but after seeing his senior highlights that he posted from his state championship season in 2025-26 with Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, it’s pretty clear that he could help the Spartans right away.
Julius Avent 2025-26 Bergen Catholic state champion senior year season highlights pic.twitter.com/3kgtCKRXoi
— Julius Avent (@_julius26x) April 28, 2026
Avent can do a little of everything and I have to even admit that I was surprised to see how well-rounded his game truly was. You have to take highlights with a grain of salt because they’re obviously the plays that he wants us to see and it’s not game tape, but he’s an impressive athlete who can defend, rebound, run, and score at all three levels.
Having a power forward who can drive the lane, score from mid-range, and hit threes is only going to help Michigan State’s lineup flexibility next season.
Julius Avent is apparently giving Michigan State another 3-point shooter
We already knew about the 3-point abilities of guys like Jordan Scott, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., (an improved) Jeremy Fears Jr., Jesse McCulloch, Kaleb Glenn, Anton Bonke, and Kur Teng, but now the Spartans are adding a player like Avent who isn’t afraid to launch from deep.
The incoming freshman gives Michigan State a fourth — or fifth if you bound Coen Carr — frontcourt player who can shoot threes and that’s something that sets teams apart.
Whenever you can add bigs who stretch the floor like Avent or Bonke, you’re going to see defenses cheat out a little more, opening up the floor for someone like Fears to drive the lane and dish or drive and finish strong at the rim. This will also open up more lob opportunities with a cleared up lane.
Don’t sleep on Avent, Spartan fans. The incoming power forward is going to be a good one.
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