Tom Izzo, Michigan State make final six for top-50 point guard Jaxson Davis originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tom Izzo and Michigan State have officially survived a massive cut for one of the fastest-rising point guards in the 2027 recruiting class. Four-star prospect Jaxson Davis has narrowed his recruitment to Creighton, Iowa, Marquette, Michigan State, Minnesota and Ohio State, he told Rivals’ Joe Tipton on Saturday.
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The 6-foot-1 guard from Monarch Academy in Kansas is ranked No. 44 nationally and No. 14 among point guards in the Rivals Industry Ranking. Michigan State did more than simply land on Davis’ final list. The Spartans have secured one of his first two official visits.
Davis will visit Iowa beginning Sept. 19 before traveling to East Lansing on Oct. 1. He previously took unofficial visits to Michigan State and Marquette. Izzo now has a legitimate opportunity to pull ahead in a recruitment that will be decided almost entirely among Midwestern programs.
Michigan State survives loaded cut
Davis held offers from Kentucky, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Notre Dame, Xavier, Butler, Boston College, Georgia and Northwestern before reducing his list. That means Izzo and the Spartans beat out several national and Big Ten competitors just to reach the final six.
Kentucky’s absence is especially notable. The Wildcats had been involved earlier in Davis’ recruitment, but communication reportedly cooled as Michigan State increased its pursuit. The final list includes four Big Ten programs in Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio State. Creighton and Marquette represent the Big East.
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Geography should not be a major issue for any of the six finalists. Davis plays his high school basketball in Kansas and has starred for Chicago-based Meanstreets on the Nike EYBL circuit. Michigan State’s challenge will be separating itself from a collection of programs capable of offering immediate opportunity and proven guard development.
The scheduled official visit provides Izzo with that chance. Davis already has some familiarity with East Lansing after his unofficial trip. His October return will allow him to take a closer look at the Breslin Center, Michigan State’s facilities and how he could fit into the program’s future backcourt.
Jaxson Davis fits Tom Izzo’s approach
Davis averaged 15.1 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game during the EYBL regular season. Those numbers demonstrate why Michigan State views him as more than a scorer. Davis describes himself as a pass-first lead guard who can attack the basket when defenses give him room. He studies smaller NBA guards who create advantages through strength, footwork and intelligence rather than overwhelming size.
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“I would say I’m just a lead guard, pass first, but I can also score the ball and get downhill to the basket,” Davis previously told Rivals. “I watch a lot of Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Braden Smith, Fred VanVleet, guys like that.”
That style makes him an intriguing fit for Izzo.
Michigan State has traditionally been at its best with a dependable point guard capable of controlling tempo, organizing the offense and involving teammates. Davis’ willingness to create for others should appeal to a coach who demands unselfishness and sound decision-making from his backcourt. His 6-foot-1 frame will create questions against bigger guards, but the players Davis studies offer a blueprint for overcoming that disadvantage. Brunson and VanVleet have built successful NBA careers through pace, physicality and an advanced understanding of angles.
Davis still has time to add strength before reaching college. His court vision and feel for the position are already attracting some of the best programs in the country.
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Michigan State can offer the culture Davis wants
Davis has been clear about the factors that will decide his commitment.
“Play style will be big for me, and a program that feels like a family, like a home,” Davis said. “And winning. I want to walk into a winning culture and excel and keep winning.”
That statement sounds almost tailor-made for Michigan State’s recruiting pitch. Izzo has built one of the most stable programs in college basketball during his three decades in East Lansing. His ability to develop guards, maintain long-term relationships with former players and consistently compete in the NCAA Tournament gives the Spartans a strong answer for each of Davis’ priorities.
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Michigan State is also expanding its 2027 recruiting board. The Spartans have targeted several backcourt prospects, including four-star guard Joshua Tyson and Kingston Thomas, the son of former Michigan State national champion David Thomas. Izzo has also pursued talented frontcourt players as he works to build a complete class.
Davis could become the point guard at the center of that group. His recruitment is far from finished, and the Spartans face serious competition. Iowa will receive the first official visit, while Marquette already hosted Davis unofficially. Creighton, Minnesota and Ohio State can also make compelling cases.
Still, Michigan State has two important advantages: an established relationship and a confirmed official visit.
Izzo got the Spartans into the final six. When Davis arrives in East Lansing on Oct. 1, Michigan State will have its opportunity to finish the job.
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