It is pretty clear that Michigan State fans are ready for basketball season to start, as the football team is currently 3-6 on the season after starting 3-0. While the football team tries to figure out what to do next, Tom Izzo is leading his basketball team to hopefully another successful season on the court.
Even with the basketball season starting, now is a crucial time for head coaches to start locking down some recruits for next season, and Izzo has his eye on one in the Top 20 rankings. Four-star small forward Maximo Adams is ranked as the No. 20 player in the Class of 2026, the No. 7 small forward in the class, and the No. 7 player in the state of California according to Rivals.
Adams recently narrowed down his choice of schools to four, with Izzo and Michigan State making the cut. The other three schools that Michigan State is competing with for Adams are fellow blue bloods Kentucky, UNC, and Texas.
NEWS: 2026 Top-20 overall recruit Maximo Adams is down to four schools, he tells @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) November 3, 2025
The 6-7 small forward has completed official visits to each of his finalists. https://t.co/baXpx7DEQ9 pic.twitter.com/1ioEYou2tt
Michigan State was able to beat out other top schools like Purdue, Kansas, and Duke to earn a top spot for Adams' choice. Adams sat down with Rivals' Joe Tipton and talked about his game and what he will bring to the team he chooses.
"I can rebound and guard multiple positions," Adams said. "I have good footwork down on the post, I can run the point, I would say that I’m versatile."
This is exactly the type of buy Izzo would love to land because he is extremely moldable. Izzo loves to play his young players, so if Adams were to choose Michigan State, he certainly would have a chance to see the court very soon. The Sierra Canyon small forward averaged 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds a game last season.
Having a player that is as versatile and a great of a shooter as Adams would bring a long to Michigan State, who is always having guys that head to the NBA early. Adams talked about how he wants to join a brotherhood wherever he chooses to go and Izzo has always treated his players like his own and created a great environment for them to grow together as a team.