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Earlier Monday, the fifth and most likely final piece of the impressive 2018 MSU basketball class is wrapped up.
Coming straight outta Indianapolis, 3-star wing Aaron Henry announced his verbal commitment after he spent a weekend in East Lansing watching MSU football get a win.
East lansinggg what’s goooooood? ✅✅✅ pic.twitter.com/zrxkVPuhUO
— AH (@henny2x) September 11, 2017
The addition of the 6-foot-5 Henry puts MSU at No. 4 in the 247Sports team rankings, behind Arizona, USC and Indiana. He’ll be joined by 4-stars Foster Loyer, Marcus Bingham and Gabe Brown, as well as 3-star Thomas Kithier.
However, there is one problem that will more than likely be solved easily — they are overbooked by one spot for 2018-19. Of course, with Jaren Jackson and/or Miles Bridges likely leaving next year, that will clear that up in no time.
My thoughts (if you care): What a way to end this class. Henry’s recruitment really started to blow up late, getting offers from the likes of Indiana, Butler and Ohio State, so clearly this is a guy trending in the right direction.
From what I’ve read and seen on highlight videos, Henry is a stout defensive player and rebounder (I know what you’re thinking — typical Izzo prototype). And as Land Of 10’s Luke Srodulski points out, Henry’s high school coach says he has a 6-foot-11 wingspan. Also, here is a solid write-up from Kyle Neddenriep of IndyStar.com -- a guy who has seen Henry play in person a few times.
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Here’s what’s interesting — while this class is loaded with talent, there’s no “superstar” per se. Bingham is the highest ranked recruit in the 247Sports composite, sitting at No. 65 (Loyer is criminally underrated at No. 114, but that’s neither here nor there).
For 2019, MSU wants to set themselves up to land a big star or two, and with this lineup you can entice someone like Terry Armstrong, Romeo Weems, Keion Brooks or Vernon Carey (you can always dream) with pitching them as a top option.
For now -- in 2018, at least -- this is a great class with nice balance. You have the steady, cerebral point guard in Loyer. Athletic wings in Henry and Brown, and solid big men in Bingham and Kithier.