[Front page material, obviously. Many thanks to intrpdtrvlr for the great work. This page will be updated and re-bumped as needed. --LVS]
Overview:
The Spartans presume to have four scholarships available in 2011 to replace Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Chris Allen, and Tom Herzog. They could have fewer if one of the players vacates a scholarship early in 2010 and MSU receives a Spring commitment. Roster balance suggests that Izzo and company will look to replace the players they're losing directly with a point guard, two wings (preferably at least one SF-style player over 6'5"), and a big. Of course, this could change based on the conclusion of 2010 recruiting. One could argue that the addition of Adreian Payne to the 2010 class makes a 2011 true big man unnecessary, perhaps even undesirable to maintian balance.
This list is meant to focus on the players whose involvement with MSU can be generally confirmed from one solid source or multiple casual sources. At the same time, it's being compiled by an amateur non-insider for the enjoyment of fans, so the list is not meant to be exhaustive of all possible 2011 MSU basketball recruits or to provide definitive scouting analysis.
MSU has already missed out on one player Izzo was believed to highly covet, Ohio's Zach Price who gave a verbal to join the loaded 2011 class already on-board at Louisville.
MSU received it's first verbal for the class of 2011 from Detroit Southeastern guard Brandan Kearney on November 3, 2009.
One elite Michigan player, Carlton Brundidge, has committed to the University of Michigan after receiving extensive attention from Coach John Beilein and staff.
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Point Guards
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PATRICK LUCAS-PERRY Ht: 5'11" Scout: *** PLP's reputation caught fire in the off-season as one of the hottest players in Michigan. Generally thought to be the Plan 1A to follow in Kalin Lucas's steps until some early November reports claimed that MSU is no longer pursuing him. Known as a floor general with good decision making and leadership skills. His brother attends UM but, after the commitment of Carlton Brundidge, the Wolverines may not have room for him. |
 Photo credit: Avenue of Champions
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JEREMIAH DAVIS -- ADDED 10/11 Ht: 6'2" Scout: **** (No. 20 shooting guard) Widely ranked in the national Top 50, Davis was among the numerous recruits visiting for the UM@MSU football game where, according to one online Indiana web service, he received an offer. Davis is intending to play the point in college so it's unclear if he and PLP are an "either/or." A big target for Indiana and other Midwest schools.
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More, after the jump.
Wings
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DWAUN ANDERSON (MSU Verbal) Ht: 6'3" Scout: unranked Far away from in-state basketball hotspots, Anderson burst onto the scene by holding his own against 2010 MI standout (and fellow MSU target) Trey Zeigler. Anderson is known for having excellent athleticism, a solid shot, and has already been visited in person by Tom Izzo. Though he does not appear to possess a committable offer at the moment, continued dedication on the court and the classroom should earn him one eventually. Thought to be a virtual lock if offered. CMU is another option. UPDATE: Dwaun Anderson visited MSU on May 5 where he received and accepted a scholarship offer from Coach Izzo. |
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Photo credit: Michigan Ballers |
BRANDAN KEARNEY (MSU Verbal) Ht: 6'5" Scout: **** (No. 27 shooting guard) One of the more high-profile in-state recruits who upped his standing even more by receiving good reviews after being selected for the USA 16-and-U team. Kearney has received some criticism for not being aggressive enough but has also been praised as having good leadership skills and above-average ball-handling. Talked about in some circles as being an option as a point guard which would let him use his size and length for real mismatches. After claiming MSU as a leader in early October, Kearney gave a public verbal to MSU at a press conference on Nov. 3, 2009. |
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WAYNE BLACKSHEAR (Louisville Verbal)
Ht: 6'5" Scout: ***** (No. 3 shooting guard) Not widely discussed as on MSU's radar until it was announced that he and IL four-star Mike Shaw had planned a visit to MSU for the CMU football game. That visit has since had to be rescheduled. Unclear whether this is mostly smoke or real fire but Blackshear is reported to be a classic Izzo player - aggressive, physical, and willing to rebound as a guard. Some talk that Izzo and staff are working on improving networking in the Chicago area through this recruitment. Blackshear committed to Louisville in late December, 2009. |
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LADONTAE HENTON (Dayton Verbal) Ht: 6'5" Scout: ** Nicknamed "Buckets," Henton is a fan-favorite who has been mentioned in Michigan basketball circles since before his freshman year. Unfortunately, he appears to have peaked in a role as an undersized power forward. If he can establish himself as a legitimate wing player he quickly becomes a much more attractive Big Ten prospect. None of this should obscure that, at the high school level, Henton exhibits excellent energy and can fill the stat sheet. Unclear whether he will receive an offer. |
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BRANDEN DAWSON (MSU Verbal) Ht: 6'5" Scout: ***** (No. 5 small forward) 16th-ranked player in the country, per Rivals. Projects as a swingman in college but reportedly has played all positions in high school. Dawson has said he will likely make a late decision in the Spring of 2011 and lists six schools: Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, Marquette, UCLA and Georgetown. Despite some internet concerns about mutual interest between Dawson and MSU waning, he apparently has plans to visit in July. |
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ANTON GRADY (Cleveland St. Verbal) Ht: 6'8" Scout: ** Scout and Rivals offer conflicting accounts of his size and position. I listed him as "wing" because his ability to play on the perimeter at his size is probably his best appeal to receive a full MSU offer. Probably a Plan B sort of player at this point. |
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Photo credit: MLive/Saginaw News |
TOMMIE MCCUNE (West Virginia Verbal) Ht: 6'7" Scout: *** (No. 23 power forward) An intriguing player from Spartan country. McCune possesses the unique ability to play inside and outside ala Raymar Morgan. Still developing and Spartan coaches may be waiting to watch him during his junior year to extend an offer. Being scouted across the Big Ten, Midwest, and beyond. |
 Photo credit: Hoops Mongrel |
JAKARR SAMPSON (St. John's Verbal) Ht: 6'7" Scout: *** (No. 12 small forward) Reported to be a recent recipient of a MSU offer while being recruited heavily across the Midwest. Visited campus last October for the Montana State football game; worked out for the staff at that time. Being looked at by OSU as well. Many scouting reports are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about his game and describing him as more of lanky true wing than a post player |
Bigs
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AMIR WILLIAMS Ht: 6'10" Scout: **** (No. 4 center) Most recruiting services consider Williams the Michigan player with the most potential and he is widely ranked as such. Possesses a great frame that could continue to develop in all directions, including height. A true center, he can rebound, block shots, and score. It will be interesting for him to show his skills as a junior after spending his past years playing behind high D1 prospects Donovan Kirk and DaShonte Riley. Whoever lands him will have a project but a project with a very, very high ceiling. Williams has held at least an informal offer for a long time from UM and is also very interested in MSU. |
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PERCY GIBSON (Dayton Verbal) Ht: 6'8" Scout: ** A teammate of Brandan Kearney's, Gibson is a solidly built big man. Though some reports have Gibson receiving an "offer" from MSU already, it''s not clear what conditions ride on that offer. Statements by teammate Brandan Kearney upon his verbal to MSU suggest that Gibson's offer is not a commitable one. Gibson may be, at this point, another Plan B to others like Williams and Sampson. |
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Photo credit: buckeyeprepreport.com |
PAUL HONIGFORD (Ashland Verbal) Ht: 6'7" Scout: ** ESPN and others recognize this Ohio player as an excellent mid-range jump shooter who is still developing his post game. Increased muscle and strength should allow Honigford to play around the basket at the next level. From the same HS as former player Jason Andreas. Being recruited widely in his home state by OSU, Xavier, and Cincinnati, but it is unclear if any high-major is yet putting on a full press. Was reportedly at MSU for last year's Midnight Madness. |
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TREY MCDONALD (OSU Verbal) Ht: 6'9" Scout: *** An under-the-radar prospect who has received recent praise from the Dawkins' Best of the Best Scouting blog, Steve Bell, and elsewhere. A major riser. Talk that interest has picked up across the Big 10, including MSU and UM. Could improve his standing and earn numerous offers from an impressive junior year campaign. |
Photo credit: cdn0.sbnation.com |
JALEN REYNOLDS - Added 6/1 (Xavier Verbal) Ht: 6'9" Scout: unranked Saginaw High coach Lou Dawkins may have predicted it last September but Jalen Reynolds is the hot name in Michigan basketball recruiting this summer. He is a long, 6’9" forward who has received excellent scouting reports from ESPN and our buddies over at UMHoops. He’s described as a scorer with a combination of size and quickness that makes him a tough match-up on either end of the court. UM is giving Reynolds a lot of attention and he has spoken about wanting to stay close to home (MSU/UM) for college. At the same time, Jalen is courting interest from other Midwest schools like Xavier, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and Ohio. MSU has been in contact but it’s unclear how high Reynolds might climb up Coach Izzo’s priority list. Here's a highlight video including Jalen in action. |
 Photo credit: chicagohoops.com |
MIKE SHAW Ht: 6'8" Scout: **** (No. 10 power forward) Again, not mentioned much in MSU circles until a potential visit was announced. Originally, he and Wayne Blackshear were supposed to be a package deal. Though MSU would presumably be interested in both, Illinois fans suggest that their recruitment may be de-coupled so that Shaw can come to Illinois, a school Blackshear is apparently lukewarm to. |
