Projecting the starting 5 for Michigan State basketball in 2024-25

Power forward: Xavier Booker

Up next is the guy most people thought should have played more last season. Xavier Booker began to receive more playing time towards the end of the season, but it was his defense and rebounding that kept him on the sidelines early in the season.

However, I project he will greatly improved on those two things, mainly due to a massive increase in his strength and frame this offseason. Tom Izzo shared during the season that Booker gained 20 pounds of muscle during the season and that is what led him to start receiving more playing time. So I think Booker will just continue to add to that this offseason.

I also see a world where Booker gets some time at center as well. That isn't his preferred position, but he may be tasked to do so based on how that position shapes up and on the specific matchup in any game. But his perdominant role next season will be at power forward, and I think he is going to have a massive season and average well in the double figures per game.