After reportedly missing on his top two center targets to Indiana, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo had to get back to the drawing board quickly. Fortunately, he has another transfer center option at his disposal.
While the Spartans likely aren’t going to get a top-10 center in the portal, there’s another 7-foot-2 big man on the radar and he’s reportedly visiting Michigan State on Friday.
According to reports, Charlotte big man Anton Bonke is going to be visiting Michigan State on Friday after the Spartans missed on Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu.
BREAKING🚨 Charlotte transfer C Anton Bonke will visit Michigan State Friday.
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) April 15, 2026
Averaged 10.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 1.5 BPG. pic.twitter.com/k93grmmbdW
Based on the nightmare that’s unfolded with transfer center pursuit, this would be a huge move for Izzo to settle on a third option at center and a guy with NBA potential. Bonke is currently going through the draft process while also entering the portal.
Michigan State needs a big man with size and athleticism who can also shoot and Bonke fits that description perfectly. He’s an athlete and his 7-foot-2, 270-pound frame is perfect for what the Spartans are looking for. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks during a breakout season with Charlotte while shooting 57.6% from the floor and over 34 percent from deep.
This feels like an attainable addition for the Spartans and he’d be one step up from a guy like Szymon Zapala who did his job when he transferred in, but was never quite a “difference-maker”. I think Bonke could be much more of a difference-maker.
Judging by the NCAA’s recent five-year eligibility window talks, it sounds like the junior from Charlotte could have two years of eligibility left if he did commit to Michigan State.
Not a bad scenario.
Anton Bonke feels like a “must-get” player for Michigan State
How good is Bonke really? Well, he improved drastically from his first college season in 2024-25 with Providence where he averaged just 6.5 minutes and played in 16 games, putting up just 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He transferred to Charlotte where he broke out immediately.
At Charlotte, he saw his minutes quadruple and he played in 34 games. He moves really well for his size and he worked on his skill set as a sophomore, looking much more polished.
With programs like Kansas, Clemson, Arkansas, NC State, USC, and Gonzaga all involved, it’s important that Izzo gets him to campus on Friday and pushes for a commitment. There’s a huge need for him in East Lansing and he could play 25-plus minutes per game in East Lansing. I’m not sure that he’d do the same at programs like Kansas, Arkansas, or Gonzaga.
Izzo can’t let Bonke leave without a commitment on Friday. Fortunately, he seems to be much more properly priced (right now) than Sherrell or Yigitoglu.
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