The Spartans got bigger down low this upcoming season, but can Michigan State‘s lone transfer portal addition, Anton Bonke, be as big as Tom Izzo needs him to be?
Bonke is a 7-foot-2 skyscraper of a man who takes what seems like the minimal amount of steps to get up and down the court, yet still has the ability to soar through the air for powerful dunks while getting scrappy for the tough, much-needed rebounds.
Advertisement
In a world where the transfer portal has become college football and basketball’s version of free agency, there are still a few programs trying to do things the old-fashioned way. None are more notable than Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans, who continue to build their program through high school recruiting and player development—a level of loyalty that’s becoming increasingly rare.
Still, you have to play the game in today’s college athletics, and Izzo did exactly that this offseason with just one transfer. It also happened to be a very big one.
Bonke will look to step into the coveted center position, a role most recently held by Carson Cooper, who waited three long years before finally earning his opportunity. Now, Bonke will be expected to do what Cooper did—and perhaps even more—after Cooper finished second on the team in rebounds and third in scoring last season.
The Spartans have long prided themselves on their physicality in the paint and their ability to beat opponents on the glass. Their rebounding creates extra scoring opportunities while eliminating second chances for the opposition. That’s where Bonke will have to make his biggest impact.
Advertisement
Yes, his offensive production will matter. If Bonke can develop the same chemistry with point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. that Cooper showed flashes of, the alley-oop connection could become must-watch basketball. But for perhaps the first time in a long time, Michigan State appears loaded with capable scorers and perimeter shooters. The bigger question isn’t whether Bonke can score—it’s whether he can continue the Spartans’ dominance on the boards.
Last season, Jaxon Kohler and Cooper were so dominant on the glass that Michigan State ranked among the nation’s top rebounding teams for nearly the entire year. Their relentless effort earned the Spartans the nickname “Rebounding University,” and that identity helped carry the team despite an offense that wasn’t always at its best.
Now, with more proven shooters joining the lineup, Bonke won’t be asked to post a double-double every night. Instead, Michigan State will need him to anchor the paint alongside other big men like Kaleb Glenn, Cam Ward, and incoming 7-foot-2 freshman Ethan Taylor. Taylor will likely spend much of his freshman season learning behind Bonke, and with both players sharing nearly identical size and frames, Bonke could become an invaluable mentor while leading by example.
Bonke is entering his third season of Division I basketball after beginning his college career at the junior college level. He then transferred to Providence, where he appeared in 16 games while making just one start. He averaged 6.6 minutes and 1.3 points per game. It wasn’t a stat line that jumped off the page, but his size alone continued to make coaches dream about his potential.
Advertisement
After one season at Providence, Bonke transferred to Charlotte, where he finally received the opportunity to showcase what he could do with consistent playing time.
He averaged 25.6 minutes per game across 34 appearances, making 32 starts. Bonke attempted 7.2 shots per game, including 1.1 three-point attempts, while making 4.1 field goals and averaging 0.6 made three-pointers. That production led to 10.6 points per game.
More importantly, though, he showcased exactly why Michigan State wanted him.
Bonke averaged 8.3 rebounds per game, including 5.2 defensive rebounds and 3.0 offensive rebounds. That average would have ranked second on last year’s Spartan roster. He also averaged 1.5 blocks per game, a statistic that could ultimately become the most impactful—and perhaps most underrated—part of his defensive game.
Advertisement
Last season, fans saw just how valuable a transfer center could be, although it happened down the road in Ann Arbor, where Aday Mara flourished and eventually turned himself into an NBA lottery pick. Bonke certainly has the physical tools to follow a similar path if everything clicks.
The expectations in East Lansing are always high, especially under Tom Izzo. Bonke doesn’t have to be a superstar from Day 1, but if he can control the paint, dominate the glass, and become the defensive anchor Michigan State believes he can be, he may end up being the piece that takes an already talented Spartan roster to another level.
