Michigan State basketball: Keep an eye on 5-star SF Bryson Tucker

Michigan State basketball landed Jase Richardson on Sunday and there’s one more major target left on the board: Bryson Tucker.

The 2024 Michigan State basketball recruiting class is just about wrapped up. Tom Izzo has been hard at work again and currently has the seventh-best 2024 class in the country.

The class currently consists of four-star shooting guard Kur Teng, three-star center Jesse McCulloch and four-star combo guard Jase Richardson, who just committed to the Spartans yesterday. This could potentially be what the class looks like come signing day, but Michigan State has its eyes set on one more big name.

Attention shifts to five-star recruit

Tom Izzo already has three guys he really wants in his 2024 class. Now Izzo, and the entire coaching staff, can turn their full attention five-star small forward Bryson Tucker from Arlington, Va., and is listed at 6-foot-6 and 180 pounds. He is the 19th-best player in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Tucker is extremely young for his class, he won’t turn 18 until after he graduates high school, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the top prospects in the class.

Tucker is an explosive athlete who excels in transition. He also has a polished offensive game with an elite pull up jumper. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he has the ability to score at all three levels. To put it simply, he is the exact player that Tom Izzo looks for.

Why Michigan State is the perfect fit

It is no secret that Michigan State is extremely deep this season. Sometimes that plays an impact on decisions from five-star recruits because they want to go somewhere they can play right away. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, I don’t see that being a problem for Tucker. The three starting Michigan State guards in AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker, and Jaden Akins all will likely be gone next season. Hoggard and Akins could come back for another year, I just find it unlikely for them both. That means there will be three starting spots open in the back court, and I think Bryson would have a great shot to win one as a true freshman.

Michigan State will also have all the pieces needed to win a championship in the 2024 season as well. Even with the three guards potentially departing next year, the Spartans will not be short of any talent. Jeremy Fears will be ready to run the show at point guard in 2024, and I expect Xavier Booker to be back and ready to explode onto the college basketball team. Add the remaining pieces at Izzo’s disposal and this team will be one of the best in the country again.

Decision time for Bryson Tucker

No commitment date has been announced by Bryson yet. However, Michigan State has to feel like it’s in a good spot. Tucker has kept his recruitment very quiet, but the recruiting sites seem to like Michigan State’s chances. No official prediction has been made yet, but 247Sports has Michigan State as the only “warm” team in his recruitment. Also, recruiting site On3 gives the Spartans a 76 percent chance to win Tucker’s recruitment as well.

As mentioned however, it is hard for anyone to get a good feel on his recruitment. Things can change fast especially if he continues visiting multiple schools. A lot of recruits like to have their decisions made by the time their high school season starts, so there’s a chance we could find something out soon.

If last class is any indication, I really like Michigan State’s chances to land Bryson.