The Michigan State Spartans basketball squad has officially arrived on campus, ready to embark on what could be the most successful season for a Tom Izzo team since 2019, when the Spartans last made a Final Four run.
While Michigan State boasts a roster loaded with NBA talent, veteran leadership, youthful energy, and a litany of stellar players, today we’re going to hyper-focus on one specific Spartan.
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Jordan Scott.
The sophomore out of Reston, Virginia, exploded onto the scene during his freshman season at Michigan State. Coming off the bench for the first 10 games of the year, Scott kept his head down, stayed ready, and made the most of every opportunity he was given.
Then came a lull in Michigan State’s scoring.
Tom Izzo decided to shake things up, inserting Scott into the starting lineup. From that point forward, he never looked back, looking more and more like a future star with each passing game.
Now, there were definitely areas where improvement was needed. But for a freshman who was essentially thrown directly into the fire, expecting senior-level production during an NCAA Tournament-caliber season is a tall task. Somehow, for both Izzo and Scott, it worked.
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Scott finished his freshman campaign averaging 20.8 minutes per game. In those minutes, he averaged 5.8 points per game, but that number jumped to over 8.0 points per game once he became a starter. Included in that stretch was a six-game streak of double-digit scoring performances, providing a much-needed spark for a Michigan State offense that occasionally struggled to find consistent production early in the season.
Scott averaged 1.1 made three-pointers per game while attempting 2.9 per contest. He shot 41.1% from the field and averaged 1.9 made field goals on 4.7 attempts per game. His shooting helped the Spartans offensively, though it wasn’t enough to transform Michigan State into an offensive powerhouse.
Still, there’s every reason to believe those numbers will improve.
A year of college basketball experience, another offseason in the weight room, and a game that should slow down considerably for him all point toward increased efficiency and confidence as a sophomore.
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Of course, scoring is far from the only thing Scott brings to the floor.
With his size, basketball IQ, and instincts, his ability to disrupt passing lanes and contribute defensively became a major reason for his success in the starting lineup. Scott averaged 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game, routinely making winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score.
His size also allows him to attack the glass. Pair that with his intensity and relentless motor, and even being outsized at times doesn’t seem to bother him. Scott consistently positions himself in the right place to secure rebounds and create extra possessions.
He averaged 1.3 offensive rebounds and 1.7 defensive rebounds per game, finishing with 3.1 rebounds per contest. Those contributions played a significant role in Michigan State’s success throughout the season.
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Now, with the recent photo of freshman Jasiah Jervis arriving in East Lansing officially signaling that the roster is assembled and summer workouts are underway, one detail immediately stood out.
Jordan Scott added muscle.
And by the looks of it, quite a bit of muscle.
His arms practically jumped off the screen. With his back turned to the camera while greeting his new 7-foot-2 teammate, Scott looked noticeably bigger than he did just a few months ago. His arms appeared bulked up to the point where he looked ready to step into the ring at WrestleMania.
More importantly, he looks hungry.
This isn’t “Fat Mac” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This looks like the result of a player fully committing himself to becoming a better basketball player. The added mass appears to be pure muscle, helping him prepare for an even bigger role in the rebounding and defensive departments while also allowing him to attack the basket with more authority instead of settling for difficult perimeter shots.
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With his size, basketball IQ, growing confidence, and now increased muscle mass, Jordan Scott appears poised to take another major step forward.
At minimum, he looks capable of retaining a starting role for Michigan State.
At his ceiling?
Don’t be surprised if his name starts appearing in early conversations surrounding the 2027 NBA Draft.
