Izzo Calls Latest Recruiting Effort "One of the Better Classes ... in the History of Michigan State University"

On Wednesday, the juggernaut that is Michigan State basketball refueled. College basketball’s early signing period reached its zenith and MSU signed four

On Wednesday, the juggernaut that is Michigan State basketball refueled.

College basketball’s early signing period reached its zenith and MSU signed four athletes to Letters of Intent. Keith Appling (Detroit), Russell Byrd (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Alex Gauna (Eaton Rapids) and Adreian Payne (Dayton, Ohio) all pledged to play for Head Coach Tom Izzo.

Fort Wayne's Russell Byrd Reminds Many of Another Bird From Indiana with a Super Shot. Photo Courtesy of the Byrd Family

Izzo is excited about how each of these young men match The match with MSU’s needs.

“Four guys that fit what we need extremely well,” Izzo said, describing the breadth of talent this group possesses. The talent is deep as well, and MSU fans should be excited about the future of the Green and White as this program is making the case that it’s right up there with the nation’s elite basketball schools.

“With all four of these guys, I think it makes for an incredible class. We have a banger, we have a couple of scorers, we have versatility,” Izzo said, adding that he didn’t have to work as hard on this class as he might have in the past. Instead, Izzo’s three assistants punched in early and often on the recruiting trail. Mark Montgomery, Mike Garland and Dwayne Stephens made the difference in what many experts and commentators rate as a top-10 recruiting class.

“This was definitely a group effort by the three of them, and they deserve a lot more credit than I do on what they’ve accomplished,” Izzo said. The accomplishment is big; Izzo was unafraid to laud this class highly and ranks them as one of MSU’s finest.

“I think it will be one of the better classes we’ve had here in the history of Michigan State University,” he said. The class might not be finished, either. “I possibly have one more. I’m still recruiting and looking,” Izzo said. Speculation indicates Mt. Pleasant’s Trey Zeigler has a Spartan scholarship if he wants one. Clearly, MSU is at a point where it is reloading and does not need to worry about rebuilding and down years.

On Appling, Izzo had this to say: “A top player who is a combo-guard and can play more than one position.” Appling’s heroics in last season’s MHSAA Championship game points to a player with big game skills as well.

Byrd may have the highest upside in the group.  “At 6-7 he’s a true guard that can shoot the ball,” Izzo said. “He’s going to give us some size that can just stroke the ball.”

Gauna had the least amount of publicity of the four, but Izzo sees a bright future. “He’s probably the most underrated of the bunch,” Izzo explained. “He can shoot the ball from 3, he averaged 16 and 10. I think his best basketball is ahead of him.”

And Payne, with a 7-foot wingspan, has the potential to be a shot blocking machine. “(He) brings something we haven’t had for awhile — a big man with length, athleticism and he can shoot the ball at the 3-point range.”