Advertisement
Canada markets open in 8 hours 16 minutes
  • S&P/TSX

    21,837.18
    -12.02 (-0.06%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,149.42
    +32.33 (+0.63%)
     
  • DOW

    38,790.43
    +75.63 (+0.20%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7379
    -0.0009 (-0.13%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    82.63
    -0.09 (-0.11%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    88,427.39
    -4,250.06 (-4.59%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,162.70
    -1.60 (-0.07%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,024.74
    -14.58 (-0.72%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.3400
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    18,183.50
    -48.00 (-0.26%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    14.33
    -0.08 (-0.56%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,722.55
    -4.87 (-0.06%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    39,893.74
    +153.34 (+0.39%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6787
    -0.0005 (-0.07%)
     

Michigan State lands five-star recruit at position of need

With seniors Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter graduating next spring and freshman Miles Bridges likely to turn pro, Michigan State desperately needed to land some frontcourt talent in its 2017 recruiting class.

On Thursday, the Spartans took a huge first step toward filling that void.

Jaren Jackson, Rivals.com’s No. 15 prospect in the 2017 class, announced on his 17th birthday that he’ll attend Michigan State next year. The fast-rising 6-foot-10 forward chose the Spartans over his parents alma mater Georgetown and fellow finalists Purdue, Maryland and Notre Dame.

Jaren Jackson (AP)
Jaren Jackson (AP)

The commitment from Jackson continues the recruiting momentum Tom Izzo began building last year with perhaps the best haul of his decorated career. The class the Spartans welcome this fall includes Bridges, Josh Langford, Nick Ward and Cassius Winston, each consensus top 50 prospects in the 2016 class.

ADVERTISEMENT

What makes Jackson special is his ability to knock down outside shots at his size. He averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.4 blocks a game as a junior at Park Tudor High School in Indiana and he shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in AAU competition.

Jackson also comes from excellent basketball stock. His father, Jaren Sr., starred at Georgetown from 1985-89 and played 12 years in the NBA for nine different teams. His mother, Terri, also graduated from Georgetown and is now director of operations for the WNBA.

With Jackson in the fold, Michigan State’s focus will likely shift to a pair of other top 25 prospects, 6-foot-7 forward Brian Bowen and 6-foot-11 center Brandon McCoy.

Bowen will be a teammate of Jackson’s at La Lumiere High in Indiana this year. McCoy is unlikely to be dissuaded by Jackson’s commitment since he’s more of a traditional back-to-the-basket big man who thrives around the rim.

– – – – – – –

Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!