ICYMI: MSU Basketball Lands Highly Touted Xavier Booker

Michigan State men's basketball landed prize recruit Xavier Booker out of Cathedral Prep in Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday when Booker made his verbal commitment public:

Booker is a five-star power forward who told the media:

"For a while, I had a feeling of where I wanted to go, my family and I have discussed it a lot more recently."

"They offered me in September of 2021, they have been consistent the whole time. After bad games or good games they had advice for me. I trust coach [Tom] Izzo and the staff. Coach [Mark] Montgomery played a big role. I also heard from coach [Doug] Wojcik a lot too."

Booker said about head coach Tom Izzo (pictured above):

“He’s a really down-to-Earth dude, very caring, he’s always asking how I’m doing, how I’ve been and he always keeps it real with me and gets straight to the point when we are talking. Overall, I really like him.”

Booker can't sign with the Spartans until this upcoming November (when the early signing period begins).  But if/when he does, he'll join LaPorte, Indiana guard Jeremy Fears, Jr. in the class of 2023.  Fears is listed as a four-star recruit.

Xavier is the first five-star recruit since Max Christie, who verbally committed to State in July of 2020.  And he played for MSU last season before declaring for the NBA Draft.  Christie was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in this June's NBA Draft in the second round.

Booker picked MSU over Purdue, Kansas, Indiana, Notre Dame and others.