Michigan State basketball: Xavier Booker opens up about progress, playing time

Xavier Booker has been the hottest Michigan State basketball topic all year and the freshman big man spoke about his progress and playing time on Friday.

Every year, there seems to be a polarizing topic that either divides or unites the Michigan State basketball fanbase. This year, that topic is Xavier Booker playing time and it happens to be doing the latter.

So far this season, Booker has played in 19 of Michigan State’s 27 games and he’s averaging a modest 8.0 minutes per contest. Fans have been clamoring for more playing time from Booker and Tom Izzo has promised that it’s on the horizon. The center position has been a major weakness so each game that passes that sees him sitting for entire halves just adds fuel to the fanbase’s fire.

And a major concern from fans is the idea that the former five-star could consider transferring this offseason if he doesn’t play more.

On Friday, Booker eased some of those concerns, opening up about his progress and his playing time during his freshman season. According to Graham Couch, he’s on the same page as Izzo and they talk about his development every day.

Good conversation with Xavier Booker today after practice with several reporters. Expect stories soon.

Takeaways: He’s in a really good place. Says he’s in alignment with Izzo on his development and they talk every day about his process and says he can feel his progress. (1/2)

— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) February 23, 2024

It’s good to actually hear from the player himself instead of fans just speculating what the 18-year-old kid might do. He’s still learning and he came in as a project as Izzo said at the beginning of the season.

And he’s already added 20 pounds.

… More on Xavier Booker: Some of the progress he feels comes from the 20 pounds he’s put on (up to 236). Says he couldn’t have walled off the Iowa power forward like he did Tuesday earlier in the season. Says the coaches are getting him more reps in practice with the starters.

— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) February 23, 2024

That added weight is making him more likely to see the floor against opposing big men in conference play and we’ve seen the development on the floor. He’s gotten leaps and bounds better over the past three months. At the beginning of the season, he never would’ve been able to hold his own defensively but now he’s blocking shots and playing at a much higher level.

Also, hearing that he’s getting more reps with the starters is encouraging. It sounds like we’re about to see his role expand even more.

Fret not, Spartan fans. Booker seems to be pleased with his development.