Two more transfer portal entrants Tom Izzo should contact
2. Desmond Claude, Xavier
The second transfer I think Izzo should reach out to is Desmond Claude. Claude is another 6-foot-6 guard who has spent his two collegiate seasons at Xavier.
NEWS: Xavier sophomore guard Desmond Claude is entering the transfer portal, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 19, 2024
The 6-6 Connecticut native averaged 16.6 PTS, 4.2 REB, and 3.2 AST this season. Big time addition to the portal.
Story: https://t.co/tLooAKms7n pic.twitter.com/S9U7H1X2nl
Claude burst onto the scene this season and averaged 16.6 points per game which is a nearly 12 point improvement from his freshman season. He also averaged 4.2 rebounds per game, which is a must have for any portal target for Izzo, as well as 3.2 assists per game.
However, the one thing that slides Claude down on my list of transfer targets is that he isn't a very good 3-point shooter. As a freshman he shot 29.3 percent from beyond the arc, but this past season he regressed to 23.9 percent. As I mentioned before, I think Michigan State needs a player who can space the floor, and I'm not so sure Claude is that guy.
So out of these two transfers, Cadet would be my top option, but neither are must have targets for MSU in my eyes. The top choice will always be Fidler until he announces his commitment, but until he does so I think Izzo should keep these guys warm as potential backup options down the line.