As Friday rolled around and five-star center Caleb Swanigan neared his college commitment announcement, all signs were pointing towards the Cal Golden Bears reeling him in, the first domino in what could have been a historic class for Cuonzo Martin.
One can only hope that Martin didn’t count his chickens before they hatched, as Swanigan surprised the college basketball recruiting world and committed to Michigan State. The commitment gives Sparty two five-star frontcourt prospects who should come in and compete for immediate playing time with Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling.
Caleb Swanigan and Tom Izzo a great fit. Kid’s close to home, has to play immediately and will be better for being around Tom. Style fits.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) April 11, 2015
The Michigan State staff was as surprised as anyone that Caleb Swanigan chose the Spartans. Everyone pegged him as Cal-bound today.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 10, 2015
Huge commitment for Michigan State in Caleb Swanigan. Big body with very good hands and feet, soft touch, high motor and tough.
— Josh Gershon (@JoshGershon) April 10, 2015
Michigan State already had one of the better classes nationally with Deyonta Davis and Matt McQuaid, but the addition of Swanigan makes MSU an immediate contender for next year’s Final Four if they can get the kind of production everyone expects from Eron Harris on the perimeter.
As for the fit, Swanigan is a blue-collar worker underneath with a wide base, ideal for the kind of boxing-out that Izzo demands of his interior players. The key for him will be getting in good enough shape to minimize the ill-effects of his limited athleticism.
