Michigan State was able to reestablish itself back at the top of the Big Ten in 2024-25, and reaching the Elite 8 further proved that Tom Izzo could still get the job done. Yet Izzo’s mortal enemy, the transfer portal, once again nipped him in the bud. Izzo’s Spartans are dealing with a major loss in their depth in the post. UCLA and Mick Cronin have to be feeling pumped. The Bruins themselves have lost plenty of guys so far this offseason, including a major young big. While the portal takes, it can also give, and that’s exactly what the Bruins got on Friday afternoon.
Xavier Booker committed to UCLA on Friday . The Bruins will be going through plenty of changes in their post, but for a guy who really couldn’t find his footing in his two seasons in East Lansing, a new home might be what he needed. UCLA likes their bigs, and Xavier Booker can also stretch it out to the three-point line.
NEWS: Michigan State transfer forward Xavier Booker, a former 5
recruit and McDonald’s All-American, has committed to UCLA, his agents at @KlutchSports tell @On3sports . https://t.co/Bip3Paulnh pic.twitter.com/gocrZkSCW0
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 4, 2025
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Former Michigan State McDonald’s All-American Commits to UCLA
Booker came to Michigan State with high praise, as he was a McDonald’s All-American coming out of the state of Indiana. Not to mention he was garnering praise and comparisons to former Spartan and NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr . Like Jackson Jr, Booker has showcased an ability to shoot from three-point range at 6-foot-11. Not to mention, he came to MSU pretty raw, as he needed to work on his body.
After playing sparingly as a freshman, the 2024-25 season looked like one where Booker could break out early. That included a career performance in Maui, where he recorded 12 points and made big plays that helped the Spartans beat the North Carolina Tar Heels. He backed it up with an 18-point performance against Oakland in December. After that, his minutes started to dip. He failed to stay on the floor for long as he struggled mightily on the defensive end. To close the 2024-25 season, he didn’t score in his final seven appearances.
Booker hitting the portal didn’t come as much of a surprise, especially when other bigs like Jaxon Kohler , Carson Cooper , and Szymon Zapala were proving better options at both ends of the floor. Given that he didn’t even see the floor during the NCAA Tournament. He leaves MSU having played 60 career games and only five starts.
From Izzo to Cronin; How is it Going to Be Any Better?
Coach Izzo and Coach Mick Cronin at UCLA are very different. Both expect players to play at their best and defend. That’s what got Booker in the dog house at Michigan State. Booker will now join the Bruins and Cronin, who isn’t afraid to let players hear it when they aren’t doing their jobs. Sure, a new place should be good for Booker, but it’s really hard to say that things are going to be much better for him in Los Angeles.
This guy was highly rated, and Tom Izzo couldn’t get him to even be average. Is Mick Cronin going to do anything better with him? Time will tell. If Booker can take a step, that would be huge, but he gets lost easily. And most of the time, he just likes to jack a shot from deep. It’s too bad it didn’t work out in East Lansing, but best of luck to the young man.
Perhaps he’ll make the starting lineup with UCLA’s freshman seven-footer Aday Mara in the portal. Personally, the move just doesn’t make sense. He couldn’t get on the floor for Izzo, and I’m sure he’ll struggle to see the floor for Cronin as well.
Grade For Booker Transfer: C
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