MSU signee and Bay City Western star Matt Costello has won the 2012 Hal Schram Mr. Basketball award in the state of Michigan. Unlike last year's choice of Dwaun Anderson of Sutton's Bay, this was no big surprise. Costello's impressive scoring and rebounding stats were expected to be enough the hold off his top competition, future teammate Denzel Valentine of Lansing Sexton who finished in second place.
Costello should make an immediate impact at Michigan State next year. Coach Izzo recently suggested the possibility of using Adreian Payne as MSU's "stretch 4" but Costello will also be in the mix to take Draymond Green's spot and start as a freshman.
If you haven't watched much of Matt in action, here is a new compilation video from Jay of PrepHoopsTV. You can see him show off multiple skills near and away from the basket. Both Payne and Alex Gauna arrived at MSU with reputations as post players who can shoot. Costello (and Medina, Ohio PF Kenny Kaminski) fit this mold as well and we'll have to watch to see if they get more green lights to shoot than Alex and Adreian have early in their careers. The absence of Draymond Green hitting threes might make this more of a necessity. Costello can also play with a meanstreak so Michigan State may have found its enforcer of the future down low.