Michigan State basketball gets commitment from former Ypsi Prep big man Carson Cooper
Michigan State basketball has added a big man to its 2022 recruiting class.
Carson Cooper, 6-foot-10, 220-pound center from Jackson who played last season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, announced his commitment to coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans on Sunday afternoon.
Cooper spent his first two years of high school at Jackson Northwest, played for the Emoni Bates-led Ypsilanti Prep as a junior in 2021 where he improved a lot, and then transferred to IMG for his senior season.
"100% committed I’m extremely blessed and grateful for everyone that has helped me get to this point in my basketball career!" Cooper wrote on Twitter. "I also want to thank all of the college coaches that have put their time into recruiting me. I am officially a Spartan!"
100% committed‼️ I’m extremely blessed and grateful for everyone that has helped me get to this point in my basketball career! I also want to thank all of the college coaches that have put their time into recruiting me. I am officially a Spartan!🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1WsQHdnJYT
— Carson Cooper (@TheCarsonCoop) May 8, 2022
Cooper flashed a few nice performances for Ypsi Prep, playing with a good motor and improving his footwork as the season progressed. He went from a reserve big to a spot starter, and once he learned Ypsi wouldn't be back for 2021-22, he landed with IMG Academy, one of the best programs in the country.
"He's a kid who his best basketball is differently ahead of him," Ypsi Prep coach Corey Tucker told the Free Press in March. "The academic part is always solid, a 4.0 (GPA) student, 4.2 student. But, you know, the basketball, he just needed the experience and to get more time against better competition.
"It's great to see that kid flourish and develop."
By March, Cooper's scholarship offer list had grown from nearly nonexistent to the Division I level: Vermont, Eastern Michigan, Stetson and Duquesne.
Now, Cooper rejoins sophomore guard Jaden Akins at MSU, who briefly played at Ypsi Prep with Cooper before transferring for his senior season.
Carson Cooper
IMG Academy
1st Team All Tournament @BigShotsGlobal
Led us to the HS Slam Championship game!
15.3 PPG
8.3 RPG
56.3 FG%
33.3 3FG%
2 BPG
1 SPG
1 Charge Per Game
Some of his highlights at The Big Shots Prep National Championships in Rockhill, SC@TheCarsonCoop pic.twitter.com/2w8bMyIUd3— Jeremy Schiller (@CoachJSchiller) March 8, 2022
Free Press sports writer Tyler Davis contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball gets commitment from Carson Cooper
