Xavier Booker has added some much-needed weight, muscle this offseason

Michigan State big man Xavier Booker needed to add some weight and muscle this offseason and he’s off to a good start.

Heading into the offseason, the biggest concern for Michigan State basketball fans was the frontcourt and the development of Xavier Booker.

And that was a fair concern as the post play was easily the biggest flaw on the 2023-24 team and a reason why the season fell apart. The Spartans began the year in the top five and immediately struggled right out of the gates. The main reason for that was the lack of a true go-to center or even quality depth.

Mady Sissoko was not the answer, Jaxon Kohler was dealing with a foot injury, Carson Cooper didn’t have an offensive game, and Booker was far from ready to be the team’s top post player. He was far too raw.

Now, heading into the 2024 offseason, there have been a few positive developments like Kohler living in the gym and Tom Izzo landing Szymon Zapala from the transfer portal but arguably the biggest one has been Booker’s muscle gain.

According to @FromEastLansing on Twitter, The Drive with Jack revealed that Booker had gained 20 pounds of muscle already this offseason.

c/o @drivewithjack Xavier Booker has gained 20 lbs of muscle since the end of the season, now 6-11 240lbs pic.twitter.com/hHsCNjEYLX

— John (@FromEastLansing) May 23, 2024

That’s right, we’re only about two months into the offseason and Booker is already 20 pounds heavier and stronger. A 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame is going to be able to hold its own in the Big Ten much more than his slight 215-220-pound frame this past season.

Booker has always had the talent but now that he’s getting stronger and thicker, he’s going to have the body to be able to compete at a high level in the Big Ten. This should definitely ease some of the concerns that fans have had about the frontcourt.

While the center position is still a little shaky, it looks like Booker may be able to slide into that spot from the four, if need be, and have an impact.