Tom Izzo has been asked if Coen Carr is the most athletic player he’s ever had, and in true Tom Izzo fashion, he made sure to give credit to some past players like Jason Richardson and Shannon Brown.
Eventually, Izzo has to admit that Carr is on a different level than those other guys. Yes, Richardson and Brown were athletic freaks and the former even won a couple of NBA Dunk Contests. Those guys were incredible athletes and great in-game dunkers, but Carr takes the cake there.
Matt Painter agrees.
Following the game, Purdue’s head coach had some really good things to say about Michigan State, but he zeroed in on Carr for a bit. He made a statement that opened a lot of eyes.
”I’ve been in this league for 25 years, I’ve never seen anything like (Carr).”
Purdue HC Matt Painter has been around college basketball for over 25 years — and his praise for Coen Carr carries weight. pic.twitter.com/3YO3mTKpHE
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 27, 2026
Thinking about it, he’s right. Carr is borderline unguardable in transition. Not only is he a fastbreak superstar, but he’s also tough to guard offensively — especially since he’s adding a jumper to his repertoire. A consistent Carr jumper could make him one of the toughest players to guard in college basketball.
For a coach like Painter to say that he’s never seen anyone like Carr, it carries some serious weight. He’s been around some elite players over the past two decades and he’s faced incredible athletes, but no one has ever been quite like Carr.
Most Michigan State fans would agree. Carr is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete.
A senior Coen Carr will feed families
I think it’s fairly obvious right now that Carr is not going to make the NBA jump this offseason. There’s a good chance that he enters his name into the draft and gets some feedback from scouts, but I truly believe he’s back in East Lansing next season.
Considering how much he’s developed to this point, I think he could be one of the more special players to come through East Lansing. He could become a legitimate Big Ten Player of the Year candidate.
Assuming he adds a consistent jumper to his game, can hit about 30-35 percent from three, and works a little more on his ball-handling so he can drive more, I like his chances to become a 15-20 point-per-game player. With a good summer and more learning and developing under Izzo in the offseason, I can see Carr legitimately rise into first-round territory next year.
Which NBA teams wouldn’t want a world-class athlete who can hit the occasional three?