EXCLUSIVE: Tom Izzo's Newest Spartan Alvin Ellis Talks With Spartan Nation About Being a Spartan

New Tom Izzo Commitment for the 2013 Class Alvin Ellis Talks About His Decision! Q: Alvin, let me start by saying congratulations and welcome to the Spartan

New Tom Izzo Commitment for the 2013 Class Alvin Ellis Talks About His Decision!

Q: Alvin, let me start by saying congratulations and welcome to the Spartan Nation.

A: Oh thank you, thank you a lot. And I wanna thank the Spartan Nation for welcoming me.

Q: I talked to a bunch of people over the last week or so; a lot of people very complimentary of you as a young man. You must come from a pretty amazing family. Brag on your family for a minute, would you please?

A: Yeah, my family is my #1 priority. I’ll do everything and anything they need because they’re everything and they’re right there supporting me 100%.

Q: Back before you committed to Minnesota and Tubby Smith, was Tom Izzo and Michigan State showing interest at you earlier?

A: No, I wasn’t getting any interest from Michigan State and Tom Izzo.

Q: So when you de-committed from Minnesota, obviously Michigan State was very happy. Will you talk us, walk us through…when did you first hear from Michigan State?

A: A few days after I was released from Minnesota. A little bit… Then I started talking to them more and went on an unofficial visit and that’s how that went about.

Q: Tom Izzo is a Hall of Fame coach. Was it humbling when you heard from Tom?

A: I have heard from him.

Q: When you heard from Michigan State, got the offer and decided that’s where you’re gonna be, was it a pretty exciting moment for you? What was it about Michigan State that made you want to play there?

A: I was really excited. I had kept it to myself, in my inner family. I wasn’t really telling anybody that I was gonna go. Izzo would be that guy to push me to try to get to the next level. And also help me develop as a young man.

Q: When you talk to Coach, what does he tell you he likes most about your game right now?

A: He likes how I listen to the coaches. I can be coachable. He also likes that I‘m aggressive and I’m gonna give it 100% every time.

Q: One of the things that people talked about is that you’re very teachable. Did that come from your parents, did it come from great coaching? Where did that come from?

A: It just comes from being around good people, like my parents and great AAU coaches. It’s being around the right people and knowing you need to…it’s always a business and you need to showcase yourself, be respectful and stuff like that.

Q: When you talked to Tom Izzo, what do they want you to get better at the most?

A: He hasn’t told me anything yet. I’m just gonna keep working out in the gym and try to get better all around.

Q: When you look at all the talent on this basketball team, are you pretty excited about what the Spartans can do next year?

A: Definitely. The Spartans are a top ten team, maybe the top five. They’re good every year, so I know Adrian Payne is there and if he leaves we’re still gonna be good. And we’ve got (???) coming in.

Q: You’re very perceptive. You almost can see a play and how it’s gonna develop 10-15 seconds before it does. Where does that court awareness come from with you?

A: That’s just me being unselfish. I like to give my teammates… I’m not gonna be a ball hog, trying to shoot all the balls and nothing like that. I’m gonna get my teammates involved and make sure they look good also.

Q: When I watch you play, you aren’t that typical star player that wants to do everything. You get people around you playing at a higher level. Is that part of your game, making everybody else better?

A: Yes, my last high school year I had a big man and I was feeding him and giving him the ball, getting him good looks. (???)

Q: Alvin, do you have any friends or know anybody on the Michigan State basketball team?

A: Yes, I actually got a chance to meet with the team and talk with the team. Just hang around and be with them for a little bit. So it’s gonna be a real good environment when I come there.

Q: Do you know what you want to major in yet?

A: No, I have no clue right now.

Q: Who was your other primary assistant recruiter? Did you hear from McGarland, Fife, Stevens?

A: I was hearing from Coach Fife and Coach Stephens alot.

Q: What was it about Michigan State that you said, Yeah I wanna go there.

A: I know Tom Izzo is a Hall of Fame coach. I k now that they make it to the Tournament every year. They play for national championships every year. And I wanna be a part of that. I wanna try to win one of these national championships.

Q: If Tubby Smith had not been fired you would be a Golden Gopher still today. Did you get a chance after you were released from your scholarship to talk to him? Did you ask him about Tom Izzo?

A: I did talk to him but it wasn’t anything about Michigan State or anything like that. He was just checking on me and seeing if I was good and how everything was. It was nothing major.

Q: You’re not arrogant, you’re not a ball hog, but man you have a fire in your belly. Would you talk about that competitive side of you?

A: It came from when I was younger. When I was younger I wasn’t really playing a lot on the AAU team. I just stayed in the gym all throughout the year and freshman year I had sprouted. I just kept working, kept working and that hard work has paid off.

Q: How tall are you right now?

A: I’m 6’3”.

Q: And how much do you weigh?

A: I weigh about 190.

Q: What position…do you think you’re gonna play a 3? Where do you think you’re gonna play?

A: I’m gonna try to play a little 2 guard. Wherever coaches need me, that’s what I’m gonna play. I’m gonna see where it goes from there. Wherever they need me I’m gonna try to fit in.

Q: So when they talk to you right now do they talk a lot about the 2 guard or is it a 2-3? Or are they not really getting into a whole lot of that?

A: No, they’re really not getting into a whole lot of that. We’ll have to see over summer and where it leads us.

Q: You were decided on Minnesota, then obviously what happened to Tubby you de-committed, and then you got a chance to pick Michigan State. Have you had a chance to enjoy your senior year?

A: Yeah, I’ve been a little busy. It’s good to get some of that relief up now that I’ve signed. But yeah, I’ve been enjoying my senior year and I’m just gpnna finish strong. I’ve got a few more weeks left and I’m just gonna finish strong.

Q: Tom Izzo has been successful because he goes out and gets good kids who happen to be basketball players. He certainly did that with you. Michigan State’s very fortunate to have you.

A: Thank you. Thank you.

Q: Do you know when you’re gonna be on campus?

A: I don’t know yet. I know it will be in the summer sometime though.

Q: You’ve been a little busy. So relax, go to prom and have some fun. We’ll see you in the summer.

A: Ok, thanks.