Rising forward Xavier Booker commits to basketball at Michigan State

Xavier Bookerone of the biggest risers of the spring and summer, told ESPN that he has committed to playing men’s basketball for Michigan State.

Booker cut his list to 10 schools earlier this week, with Auburn, Cincinnati, Gonzaga, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Purdue remaining in the mix.

“For a while, I felt like where I wanted to go,” Booker said. “My family and I have discussed it a lot lately.”

He had previously made official visits to several Midwest schools, including Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Purdue – while also making several unofficial trips to the East Lansing campus in the Spartans.

“They offered me in September 2021,” Booker said. “They were consistent all the time. After bad matches or good matches, they advised me. I trust the coach [Tom] attributable and staff. Fitness Trainer [Mark] Montgomery played a big role. As I heard from the coach [Doug] Wojcik a lot too.”

The 6-foot-11 Booker, of Cathedral High School (Indiana), was an unranked four-star prospect ahead of the start of the AAU spring season. But a series of elite performances with the popular George Hill All-Indy, followed by a dominant showing at Pangos All-American Camp (where he took MVP honors), made Booker one of the top men in the 2023 class.

In ESPN’s next ranking update later this summer, it will be ranked as a possible top 10.

Booker is a very versatile striker with tremendous height and wingspan to the front court. Recently measured at 7 feet tall and 5 wingspan. He has long strides and large hands, which allow him to run effectively and finish over the edge. The stand-up poker with the bow’s range ability, along with the drive-to-basket ability, is what makes it special.

As a left-handed shooter, he likes to get into his sweet spot on the right block, so he can reach his jump hook from the middle of the ground. Defensively, it brings edge protection and rebound. Booker may have the greatest potential of anyone in the 2023 class.

Booker is Michigan State’s second commitment in the first row, joining the ESPN 100 . guard Jeremy Fears. Fears, ranked 42nd in the class, signed a contract with the Overtime Elite earlier this week but maintained his NCAA eligibility.