BREAKING: Michigan State Flips Top Basketball Recruit to Complete No. 1 Class
In what has become the defining recruiting story of the 2026 cycle, Michigan State basketball has officially flipped the nation’s top remaining uncommitted five-star prospect—though the real story is how Tom Izzo assembled one of the most dominant recruiting classes in program history without relying on a traditional “flip” narrative.
**The “Flip” That Wasn’t—But Still Made Headlines**
While several recruiting headlines have floated the idea of a top player flipping to Michigan State, the actual story is arguably more impressive. The Spartans’ 2026 class was effectively completed when **five-star center Ethan Taylor** committed to Michigan State on November 14, 2025 . Taylor, a 7-foot-1, 244-pound powerhouse from Link Academy in Missouri, chose the Spartans over Oregon, Kansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma . His commitment wasn’t a flip from another school—it was a decisive victory over some of college basketball’s blue bloods .
And the impact was immediate. With Taylor’s addition, Michigan State vaulted to **No. 1 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings**, narrowly edging out Kansas—the very program they beat for Taylor’s pledge .
**The Four Pillars of the No. 1 Class**
Taylor joined three other elite prospects who had already signed with the Spartans during the early signing period :
– **Jasiah Jervis** (No. 38 nationally): A 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Archbishop Stepinac in New York, described by Izzo as “a Gary Harris type player, one of the rare two guards that can guard it and shoot it” .
– **Carlos Medlock Jr.** (No. 66 nationally): A lightning-quick point guard from Detroit who transferred to Link Academy and became the emotional leader of the class .
– **Julius Avent** (No. 92 nationally): A 6-foot-7 hybrid forward from Bergen Catholic in New Jersey with a 7-foot-3 wingspan who can defend multiple positions .
ESPN’s national recruiting director Paul Biancardi called the group one of the nation’s best, noting that each player “brings a different dimension” to the program .
**How Izzo Built a No. 1 Class Without Flipping**
In an era dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal movement, Izzo’s approach has remained remarkably consistent. The Spartans have taken just **five transfers over four years**—an astonishingly low number in today’s landscape . Instead, Izzo has doubled down on relationships.
“I think we just came up with one of our best recruiting classes in years and years and years,” Izzo said after the signings . “In this day and age of transactions, Michigan State is still trying to be a relationship-based program. I’m excited that the parents of these kids had just as much influence on our decision as the kids did” .
The personal touches mattered. Izzo made pizza with Taylor during his official visit . He connected with Medlock’s family roots in Michigan. He built relationships with Jervis’s parents, who ended every conversation with “Go Green” .
**The Difference Between Basketball and Football**
While Michigan State football has experienced real flipping drama—including the loss of three-star safety Jordan Vann to Louisville following Jonathan Smith’s firing —the basketball program has been a picture of stability. The Spartans’ 2026 basketball class was signed, sealed, and delivered before the early signing period ended, with no late drama .
That’s not to say there hasn’t been flipping interest in other directions. Alabama has reportedly put four-star Michigan State football commit Samson Gash on “flip watch,” with Kalen DeBoer pursuing the wide receiver for the Crimson Tide . But on the basketball side, Izzo held his class together with no such concerns.
**What This Means for Michigan State**
The 2026 class is the program’s first No. 1-ranked recruiting class since 2016, when Izzo landed Miles Bridges, Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford, and Nick Ward . That group went on to become one of the most accomplished classes in program history.
Izzo sees similar potential in this group. “We saved the biggest for the last,” he said of Taylor, “but the last guy to commit” . With Taylor expected to step in immediately following the departure of current big men, and Jervis, Medlock, and Avent providing depth at guard and forward, the Spartans are positioned for sustained success.
**The Bottom Line**
While the headline “Top Player Flips to MSU Basketball” might generate clicks, the real story is more impressive: Michigan State didn’t need to flip anyone. They identified their targets, built genuine relationships, and secured commitments from four top-100 recruits—including a five-star center—without the drama of late decommitments or bidding wars.
As Izzo put it with a laugh when asked about his old-school approach: “Relationships matter. We found our kind of guys” .
