SPARTANS

MSU could land four-star Xavier Tillman Friday

Matt Charboneau
The Detroit News
Xavier Tillman

East Lansing – Michigan State landed a five-star talent for its 2017 recruiting class a couple of weeks ago when forward Jaren Jackson of La Lumiere in La Porte, Indiana, became the first member of the class. The Spartans hope to add another Friday when Xavier Tillman of Grand Rapids Christian announces his commitment.

Tillman will make the announcement from Grand Rapids Christian at 12:50 p.m.

Tillman (6-8, 270) is a four-star power forward ranked in the top 100 in the nation by all of the major recruiting services, including No. 75 by ESPN. He is the top-ranked player in the state according to Scout.com and is considering offers from Michigan State, Purdue, Florida and Marquette.

Tillman took his official visit to Michigan State the weekend before last and told Rico Beard on “The Spartan Beat” on 92.1 FM in Lansing that it went well.

MSU could land four-star Xavier Tillman Friday

“It was great," Tillman said. “I had a bond with every single player, from Tum-Tum (Nairn) all the way to Kenny (Goins). They're all great guys and Coach Izzo laid out the outline of what he thought I could do.”

Tillman is AAU teammates with Jackson, something that could play in Michigan State’s favor.

The Spartans have four available scholarships for the 2017 class and are still after several big recruits, including forward and Saginaw native Brian Bowen (La Lumiere), guard Gary Trent Jr. (Prolific Prep / Napa, Calif.), forward Brandon McCoy (Cathedral Catholic / San Diego) and forward Nojel Eastern (Evanston, Ill.).