For two years, Tom Izzo worked tirelessly to get the most out of former five-star big man Xavier Booker who was often criticized for having an inconsistent motor and just not being tough enough for the Big Ten. Izzo always tempered expectations around him, but it was a mutual breakup and Booker found his way to UCLA where he proved that he can hang in the Big Ten.
So when Izzo raved about his “surprise” borderline five-star freshman big man, Ethan Taylor, with sky-high expectations, it should have caught everyone’s attention.
From Day 1 regarding Booker, Izzo made sure to temper expectations that were getting out of control by hinting at the idea of him being more of a project. With Taylor, he’s not holding back even if that does mean some added pressure gets heaped onto the freshman big man’s shoulders.
Izzo said something about Taylor on Thursday that he had never said about Booker in his two years in East Lansing. He praised the true freshman’s motor.
Izzo says 5-star freshman C Ethan Taylor has been a surprise so far for MSU, likes his quickness and reach but "as always with most big guys, the motor's gotta keep going." Says Taylor "is making some serious progress in that area."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 15, 2026
After having a motor problem with a few bigs over the years that had NBA aspirations but never quite panned out, it’s refreshing to hear Izzo rave about his top-50 true freshman center’s “serious progress” in that category that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.
It’s arguably the most important quality of a Michigan State center.
You look at guys like Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler (when he spent some time at center), Xavier Tillman, Derrick Nix, Nick Ward, and Adreian Payne and see that they all have one main thing in common: motor was never an issue with them. Three of those guys made it to the NBA and another could be playing there next year.
Some spent time in Izzo’s doghouse, but all of them hated losing more than anything. If Izzo can get that same mindset from Taylor, he’s going to retire as a multi-time national champion.
This early praise about Taylor’s motor shouldn’t be taken lightly. Izzo doesn’t blow smoke.
It won’t be long before Ethan Taylor starts
Some videos and pictures that were taken from inside Michigan State’s semi-public practice showed that Anton Bonke was rolling with the ones and while some, including myself, believed that Taylor could start over the Charlotte transfer, it’s starting to look like Izzo is going with the veteran.
That doesn’t mean it has to last all year.
Bonke played more like a Szymon Zapala-type (nothing wrong with that at all — very solid big) than someone who is going to change the game at center for Michigan State. Taylor looked like a game-changer.
Now hearing that Izzo is noticing his freshman big man take strides in the motor department while calling him one of the biggest surprises early on has some of us feeling vindicated.
Bonke is likely the starter to begin the year and through the big non-conference games, but don’t be surprised if Taylor takes over by Big Ten play. If Bonke doesn’t surrender the starting job by then, that’s more indicative of the Charlotte transfer exceeding expectations rather than Taylor not playing well.
Still calling my shot now: Taylor starts by January.
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