Michigan State basketball is in the midst of a busy summer, with head coach Tom Izzo and his staff working tirelessly to complete their roster for the 2025-26 season. Despite already having 10 scholarship players on board, several key positions still need to be filled.
Key Priorities
One of the top priorities for Izzo and his staff is finding a reliable backup point guard. With current starter Jalen Terry set to take on a larger role this season, it is essential that Michigan State has another capable option at the position. To address this need, the Spartans are aggressively pursuing Miami (FL) transfer Divine Ugochukwu.
Ugochukwu’s Recruitment
- Ugochukwu has been one of the most sought-after transfers in college basketball this offseason, with several top programs vying for his services.
- Sources close to MSU hoops circles indicate that Michigan State is at or near the front of Ugochukwu’s list.
Addressing Frontcourt Depth
The loss of Szymon Zapala at center last year was a significant blow to Michigan State’s frontcourt depth. While Jaxon Kohler showed flashes as an undersized big man last season, he will likely be asked to play more on perimeter spots than inside against bigger opponents.
Potential Recruits
To address this void in their lineup, Izzo and his staff may look outside their current roster for additional talent. One potential recruit from Europe who has caught their attention is Lewis Obiorah from Barking Abbey Basketball Academy in London.
- Obiorah had an impressive freshman campaign last season at Barking Abbey after transferring from Montverde Academy in Florida.
- He earned English Basketball Player of the Year honors while averaging nearly double-double numbers with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks per game.
While no official offer has been extended yet by MSU coaches, sources within MSU hoops circles believe they have made contact recently about potentially bringing him aboard next fall.
Future Considerations
In addition to these recruitment efforts, Izzo continues to work on filling out remaining scholarships available through the early entry into the NBA draft process by some players currently under contract.
With so much uncertainty surrounding next year’s team composition, it remains unclear how many new faces will join the program when classes begin later this month. However, one thing is certain: Tom Izzo will stop at nothing until he feels confident about what he’s got heading into tipoff against Rutgers in October.
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