Jeremy Fears Jr. kept fans on the edge of their seats on Wednesday as the draft decision deadline approached. He had until 11:59 p.m. ET to decide on his NBA future and he almost waited until the buzzer to announce that he’d be back at Michigan State for his junior year.
The news sent Michigan State fans into a frenzy as the best point guard in America returns to East Lansing to try and help lead Tom Izzo to his second national title.
Michigan State now has an elite backcourt, a really strong frontcourt, and arguably the deepest roster in the Big Ten. What’s better time is there to project the 2026-27 starting five?
PG: Jeremy Fears Jr.
Obviously this was the one we were all waiting for and this takes a lot of pressure off of true freshman Carlos Medlock Jr. who was staring at a potential starting role if Fears had left. Thankfully, the All-American point guard is back to chase a Big Ten title, a national player of the year award, and a national title. He’ll be the best point guard in the Big Ten next season, hands down.
Fears gives Michigan State’s backcourt an elite leader and if he can develop that jumper like we all know he’s capable of doing, he could very well be a first-round pick next year.
SG: Jordan Scott
I thought long and hard about this one. Jasiah Jervis may be the most intriguing option that Michigan State has at shooting guard, but I think Izzo at least starts the season with the more experienced option. Jordan Scott had a solid freshman season, but hit that wall about midway through Big Ten play and kind of shied away from hunting his own shots. That’s going to change with another full offseason of work.
Not only will Scott be a plus shooter next season, but I can see him gaining confidence in his handle and he’s going to be one of the better defenders on the team. Defense is what’ll keep him in that starting lineup.
SF: Coen Carr
This one was also up for debate. Not because I don’t think Coen Carr starts (he absolutely will), but it’s more so about the position he’s going to play. Many fans believe that he’s more suited to play power forward because he shouldn’t be taking up a spot on the wing as a non-shooter, but I do believe that he develops a 30-35 percent 3-point shot this offseason. He won’t fill it up like Steph Curry, but he’s not going to be left open much after the first few weeks.
Carr is trying to boost his own NBA draft stock and he’s going to be a plus rebounder and defender from the wing, and like Fears, if he develops a consistent jumper, he has the athleticism to be a legit prospect.
I think Ausar Thompson is the perfect blueprint for him to follow if he wants to make it.
PF: Cam Ward
I don’t care what anyone says, Cam Ward absolutely deserves to start at the four. Again, it’s fair to see the projections with Carr at the four and maybe Kaleb Glenn or Scott at the three while Ward acts as a sixth man, but I believe he’ll earn that spot.
With a good offseason and if he can remain healthy (knock on wood), I think Ward takes one of the biggest jumps on the team.
As a freshman, he showed flashes of being a future star in the post and his aggression on both ends of the floor really stands out. He just plays with a toughness that Izzo loves. Ward will be a fun player to watch next season as he grows into a future All-Big Ten forward.
C: Anton Bonke
There was another major NBA draft decision made on Wednesday and it kind of flew under the radar. People probably forgot that Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke was in the draft, but he announced his withdrawal on Wednesday afternoon. He’s now officially a Spartan and he’s going to be a great pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop option for Fears.
The 7-foot-2 center will be leading the way for guys like Ethan Taylor and Jesse McCulloch and now the position that everyone was worried about with Carson Cooper’s departure is now a strength.
Oh, and Bonke can shoot threes. National title No. 2 soon?
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