When Anton Bonke committed to Michigan State on Wednesday, it was almost a forgone conclusion that Carson Cooper‘s career in the green and white was probably over.
I’m here to tell you: not so fast (in my best Lee Corso voice).
Although the senior big man would be playing the same position as Bonke, Izzo could opt to start the veteran who’s been in the system for four years while the Charlotte transfer eases into the Michigan State system with 15 minutes off the bench. It would be a pricy move, especially since Bonke is likely being paid well, but it could still work out.
In this scenario, Jesse McCulloch would slide over to the four and would split time with Cam Ward and Kaleb Glenn in a pinch. The three would have Glenn and Coen Carr and Jordan Scott in a pinch. The shooting guard spot would have Scott, Kur Teng, and Jasiah Jervis. And point guards would be Jeremy Fears Jr., Carlos Medlock Jr., and Jervis in a pinch.
It could definitely work out, but that would mean more of a learning and developmental year for Ethan Taylor and Julius Avent — that’s kind of what people are expecting already.
Izzo also knows that if he was able to bring back Cooper and have a center rotation of him and Bonke with a little Taylor and McCulloch sprinkled in, Michigan State would likely be locked in as a top three team in 2026-27.
Why is there all of a sudden more hope for Carson Cooper’s return?
I didn’t write this entire article just to say that Michigan State has room for Cooper, but it was more so based on the recent update in the five-year eligibility window case by the NCAA.
If 5-in-5 is happening next month the portal is about to come to a standstill. No point in signing players right now when you potentially have an entire pool of seniors to choose from. https://t.co/WFifCtTB4x
— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) April 23, 2026
NCAA President Charlie Baker is pushing to vote on the five years of eligibility ruling in the month of May. He would also be pushing to implement it right away, allowing everyone to add a year of eligibility to their career, including Cooper.
After hearing Cooper talk about not shutting the door completely on a return as recently as last week, there has been a ton of chatter about bringing him back for one more run.
If this does happen, Izzo can breathe a sigh of relief for not redshirting Cooper as a freshman.
The dream isn’t dead yet, folks.
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