Tom Izzo and Spartan Basketball Announces 2014 Signing Class

Men’s Basketball Announces Signing Class Spartans have received NLIs from Bess and Nairn.  The Michigan State men’s basketball team has received the

Men’s Basketball Announces Signing Class

Spartans have received NLIs from Bess and Nairn.

 

The Michigan State men’s basketball team has received the following two National Letters of Intent.

 

Lourawls (Tum Tum) Nairn Jr.

(G, 5-10, 175, Nassau, Bahamas, Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.))

Averaged 9.4 points and 8.0 assists per game as a junior, leading Sunrise Christian Academy to a 29-1 record last season, playing for Coach Kyle Lindsted … Stands out for his toughness, leadership and speed … Also averaged 1.9 steals and 2.7 rebounds for the Buffaloes, shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from 3-point range … Sunrise Christian is ranked No. 16 in the 2013-14 Super 25 boys basketball preseason rankings … Ranked the No. 61 player in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 72 by ESPN.com … Averaged seven points and seven assists as a sophomore, as Sunrise Christian posted a 24-4 record.

 

Javon Bess

(F, 6-5, 195, Columbus, Ohio, Gahanna Lincoln High School)

Averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a junior at Gahanna Lincoln High School, playing for Coach Tony Staib … Has great versatility both offensively and defensively … Helped team to a 22-6 record, advancing to the regional finals of the Ohio High School Division 1 state tournament, averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds over the final 16 games of the season … 2013 Honorable Mention All-Ohio Division 1 … 2013 first-team all-league and second-team All-Central Ohio honoree … Scored a career-high 36 points in a game vs. Olentangy, while also scoring 30 points or more in two other contests … Played AAU basketball for All-Ohio Red, helping the team capture the 2013 Spiece Run and Slam Classic, scoring 23 points in the finals … Played for Pickerington

Izzo on Javon Bess…

“Well I think the two things that happen in recruiting are, number one you get caught up in the rankings all the time and number two, there are guys who grow. The difference between being 16 and 17 and 18 sometimes are incredible - in your size, your body make up and your skill. We think Javon, after going down and watching him and not seeing him as much early and going down and watching him, has the ability to do a lot of different things. He shoots it, he’s a good athlete, he’s got length and he can defend. He’s kind of a jack of all trades and I think he too was very well coached in high school and I think he’s going to be a guy that blossoms here. I think he can play more than one position offensively. I think he can play almost three positions. He’s played some point there, but he’s a two and a three. He can guard one through four in some ways. As I said, he has a very good mind for the game. He has a great family. He comes from a great school. He offers the same thing that Tum Tum brings – the ability to fit into a system. He’s a guy with great work ethic who gets up at 5:30 in the morning and goes and works out with a guy and his coach. When you do those kinds of things in high school those should get nothing but better as you get to college.”

 

Izzo on Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn …

 

“Well there are a lot of things I like about Tum Tum. Number one, he’s a true point guard that can run a team, but in watching him in the weight room and on the court, he might become like a Draymond Green or Mateen Cleaves of the world. He just has incredible, incredible leadership abilities. I mean people just kind of gravitate to him. He’s one of those guys that everybody just seems to like and respect because he works so hard. You know, he’s probably got to improve his shooting, but as far as strength and quickness and the ability to get the ball up the floor, relate to his teammates, I think he’s going to be a phenomenal addition. He’s got a little bit of Mateen Cleaves in him in that respect, although Mateen could probably score it a little better. He’s just kind of an infectious guy in a positive way. He gets everybody excited. He holds people accountable. He demands of himself and of people. He’s come from a tough area in the islands and because of that I think he has an appreciation for what he gets and what he’s got. In this day and age, there are not enough people who appreciate what they’ve got and he does.”

 

Izzo on 2014 signing class…

 

“I think that anytime you get recruits that have been in successful programs it benefits you. They’ve been in big games, they know how to play in big games and they know exactly what’s expected of them and demanded of them. Tum Tum played the Harrison twins a couple years ago. Javon’s been to a state championship and tournament game. Because of that I think it’s going to be valuable once they get here as long as we keep making sure we get at that same level where we’re playing for championships and we’re playing for deep runs in the NCAA tournament. They are two guys that have been there and done that before.”

Central as a sophomore … Helped Central capture the 2012 Division 1 State Championship, knocking down two clutch free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure a 45-40 victory.