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The Michigan State Spartans just wrapped up a massive haul for their 2016 recruiting class, and Tom Izzo is poised for another in 2017.
One of the top big men in 2017 is four-star center Malik Williams, who just hosted the Spartans last week, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
ESPN 60 big man Malik Williams had an in-home visit with Michigan State last week. Michigan watched him. Iowa, Indiana, Purdue involved.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 25, 2016
A 6-11, 205-pounder out of Fort Wayne (IN), Williams holds offers from Purdue, NC State, Xavier, Iowa and Indiana among others, but the Spartans are the favorite in this recruitment according to his 247 Sports Crystal Ball:
Another 2017 prospect that MSU is firmly in the mix for is five-star wing Brian Bowen, who also hosted the Spartans for a visit last week.
ESPN 60 forward Brian Bowen said Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon and Creighton saw him last week. Also mentioned Texas and Kentucky.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 24, 2016
The 6-7, 185-pound Bowen is a top-20 prospect who hails from Saginaw (MI), and it looks like he'll stay close to home for college. His 247 Sports Crystal Ball has MSU as the heavy favorite:
But perhaps the best player in 2017 that's drawing interest from the Spartans is five-star wing Kris Wilkes, who was visited by MSU among several big-time programs recently.
Top-30 junior Kris Wilkes was visited by Maryland, UCLA, Illinois, Michigan State and Xavier last week. Notre Dame becoming more involved.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 25, 2016
The 6-7, 190-pound Wilkes is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in 2017 by Rivals.com and No. 13 by Scout. The Spartans are just now recruiting Wilkes heavily, but the Indianapolis (IN) product is still very open with his recruitment, so don't count out Izzo just yet here.
However, Wilkes' 247 Sports Crystal Ball suggests the hometown Hoosiers and Kentucky Wildcats are the front-runners in this recruitment.
It's still very early in the 2017 recruiting cycle, but we're beginning to see who the Spartans are looking to recruit as they look to continue their success under Izzo.