Tom Izzo, Spartans pick up commit from Belleville SF Gabe Brown for 2018

Michigan State and head basketball coach Tom Izzo had been largely quiet on the recruiting front, with its 2017 class getting their feet wet with the program this summer.

But on Tuesday, the Spartans landed their third pledge from the Class of 2018. Belleville High School small forward Gabe Brown formally announced his hard commit to MSU.

https://twitter.com/_Going_Pro_/status/877286689064005632

Brown (6-6, 180 pounds) is a 3-star prospect and regarded a top-10 player in the state of Michigan and top-50 at the small forward position in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. He recently attendant a shootout camp hosted by Izzo for some of the state’s best high school talent on the hardwood.

Brown in his announcement on Twitter explains in detail about the decision to commit to Michigan State and the connection with his late father. Contemplating calling it quits when his father passes away in May of 2016, he felt driven to earn a scholarship from the school that had heavily scouted him since his freshman year.

Brown made his first visit of any kind to Michigan State in East Lansing back in February earlier this year. He had also made unofficial trips to both Kentucky and Missouri along the way, as well as multiple treks to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. Prior to his offer from MSU, Brown had offers from five mid-major schools, including three in-state programs: Central Michigan, Detroit Mercy and Oakland.

Amazingly, this is the second student-athlete from Belleville High School in the last four days to commit to Michigan State. This past weekend, Brown’s classmate and football prospect, 3-star cornerback Davion Williams, made his verbal commit to the Spartans.

2018 CLASS COUNTER: 3

The addition of Gabe Brown now gives Michigan State a total of three hard commits from the Class of 2018, all of which are in-state talent. He’s also the first ‘wing’ position player.

He now joins 4-star power forward Thomas Kithier from Dakota High School in Macomb, and 3-star point guard Foster Loyer from Clarkston High School. All three are among the top 10 players from the state of Michigan.

Alex Muller
Alex Muller

MSU Graduate. Just a city boy born and raised in south Detroit. Baseball is life, a pitcher at heart. Freelance writer for MIPrepZone (News-Herald, Press & Guide).