Michigan State Basketball: 2017 big Jaren Jackson Jr. chooses Spartans
Tom Izzo’s recruiting success rolls on with Michigan State basketball’s addition of Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State reeled in their best recruiting class of the Tom Izzo era in 2016. With two five-star prospects and two four-star prospects, the Spartans are trying to overcome the losses of Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello and Bryn Forbes.
The Spartans’ terrific success on the recruiting trail has already carried over into 2017, as Michigan State received a commitment from four-star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. on Thursday morning.
????????…????????S/O @TiptonEdits_ for the dope edit‼️ pic.twitter.com/ALcV2o4oUa
— Jaren Jackson Jr. (@therealjnari_) September 15, 2016
Jackson, who announced his decision on his birthday, chose the Spartans over Purdue, Maryland, Notre Dame and Georgetown. The 6’10”, 225 pound Indianapolis, IN native is ranked 26th on ESPN’s top 100, is the 5th best power forward in the class of 2017 and the second best player in the state of Indiana.
Jackson was a member of the FIBA U-17 World Championships gold medal team this past summer, as he averaged 4.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He has great upside as a inside-out modern basketball four-man and possesses an excellent wingspan to help him block shots and grab rebounds. He is a legit pick-and-pop player who is physical on the offensive glass.
While he isn’t as skilled as some of the other recruits in the class of 2017, Jackson has loads of potential if he get stronger, develops a post game and adds more of a ‘mean streak.’
The La Lumiere product also has great athleticism, leaping ability and has the ability to run the floor like a gazelle.
For the Spartans, this is their first recruit in the class of 2017. Five-star center Brandon McCoy, five-star shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. and five-star small forward Brian Bowen are the top targets that the program is currently chasing. They also had interest in Paul Scruggs, but it does not look like the four-star point guard is going to choose Michigan State.
Eron Harris won’t be in East Lansing next season, but in addition to Jackson, the Spartans will have Miles Bridges, Nick Ward, Josh Langford and Cassius Winston, ‘Tum Tum’ Nairn, Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins.
The Spartans are always in the mix for the National Title when March rolls around (they haven’t won one since 2000), and the addition of Jackson doesn’t change that one bit.
More from Busting Brackets
This article originally appeared on 
