Northeast transfer Tyson Walker, one of the nation’s best middle guards, has pledged to the state of Michigan.
Walker chose the Spartans from among the five finalists that included Kansas, Maryland, Miami and Vanderbilt.
“They have been talking to me since I joined the portal,” Walker told ESPN about the state of Michigan. “They talk to me every day. Just what they have and what they need. They are ready to win a championship. I am the missing piece.
“Took me by surprise, [Tom Izzo’s] personality. We build a good relationship over the phone and through Zooms. What they were missing out on this year was an owner. “
Walker, a 6-foot long island sophomore, won the All-CAA major team award this season and won the CAA Defensive Player of the Year award. He averaged 18.8 points and 4.8 assists, and jumped onto the national scene by scoring 27 points in North Carolina in February.
“It showed that I can score on anyone, not just against the people at our conference,” said Walker.
Michigan State escaped to the NCAA tournament this season after beating Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan in the past two weeks, but the Spartans fought for most of the campaign and were eliminated by UCLA in the first four. One of the main problems was the lack of consistency of the shipowner. They struggled to take care of the ball and kick from the perimeter.
“My ability to get people to open shots, I think it will be the most important thing. And to be able to make shots,” said Walker. “I know I can’t take as many photos as I did here, so it will have to change a little bit. But my attendance is going to increase because of the people around me.”