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Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

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Future Spartans to play at the Breslin Center on Friday in state finals

Three future Spartans will get their first taste of playing in the Breslin Center over the weekend as Michigan State will host the MHSAA boys’ basketball championship starting at noon on Friday. Of the eight games being played at the Breslin Center on Friday, two of them will feature three 2018 Michigan State commits.

The first game taking place at the Breslin Center is a semifinal matchup between Clarkston and Warren De La Salle. The game will feature a pair of teammates whom have already committed to Izzo’s program for the 2018-19 season; Thomas Kithier and Foster Loyer of Clarkston.

Kithier will not play in any of Clarkston’s games at the Breslin Center. In fact, he hasn’t played a game for Clarkston all season. Kithier was ruled ineligible for his senior season by the MHSAA after transfering from his previous high school, Macomb Dakota, to join the 2017 state champs. Dakota did not sign off on Kithier’s transfer and reported it to the MHSAA, who then ruled Kithier ineligible to play in his senior season.

Kithier, a four-star recruit according to ESPN, is a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward who put up monster numbers in his junior season, averaging 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks per game.

Loyer, the son of Akron head basketball coach John Loyer, will be showcasing his talents this weekend. The point guard is a four-star recruit and ranked No. 64 on the 2018 ESPN 100 list for college recruits. Loyer stands at 6-feet tall and weighs in at 170 pounds and has averaged 27 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals a game while leading Clarkston to a 23-1 record in the 2017-18 regular season.

Loyer also was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Michigan in 2018, beating out two Michigan commits, David DeJulius from East English Village Prep and East Lansing’s own Brandon Johns.

Another Michigan State commit that will be playing at the Breslin Center is Marcus Bingham Jr. of Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who will be facing off with New Haven at 7:30 p.m.

Bingham, another four-star recruit, is a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward and is also part of the 2018 class with Loyer and Kithier. Bingham also ranks just above Loyer on the ESPN 100 list at No. 61. Bingham’s long and lanky frame and outside scoring ability has led writers to draw comparisons to All Star forward Kevin Durant, stating that Bingham Jr. will likely have a home in the NBA if he develops well under MSU head coach Tom Izzo.

Bingham has led Grand Rapids Catholic Central to a 23-2 record going into Friday’s game and averages 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks per game.

Also in this game will be Romeo Weems of New Haven, who might be the most talented basketball player to walk on the court on Friday. The four-star recruit is part of the 2019 class and is ranked No. 31 in the 2019 ESPN 60 list. Weems, a wing player, stands in at 6-foot-6 and 210 points.

Weems really knows how to fill up the stat sheet. Weems turned heads earlier this month by recording a quadruple-double against Detroit Country Day. The junior put up 21 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, 10 steals and seven blocks in his electric performance.

Weems has led New Haven to a perfect 26-0 record thus far. He was also part of the USA Basketball U16 National team, where he played with other top recruits, including another top target for Izzo, center Vernon Carey Jr.

Michigan State has already extended an offer to Weems. As the No. 1 recruit in the state of Michigan figures to be a top target for Izzo and his program, a decision for Weems may not be forthcoming soon, but the Michigan State staff will have another chance to see him up close over the weekend.

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