East Lansing, MI – In one of the most electrifying college basketball recruiting announcements of the year, 6-foot-11 high school standout Carson Cooper has officially signed with Michigan State University in a landmark $4 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. The towering center turned down powerhouse programs like Tennessee, Duke, Georgia, and Florida to don the green and white, pledging his future to the Spartans and head coach Tom Izzo.
Hailing from a small town but carrying big aspirations, Cooper has been a dominant force on the national high school circuit. Known for his shot-blocking prowess, elite rebounding ability, and growing offensive arsenal, the 18-year-old phenom is already being projected as a future NBA lottery pick. His size, athleticism, and basketball IQ have turned heads across the country, and now, his commitment has made a seismic impact on the college basketball landscape.
“This is more than just basketball for me,” said Cooper at his signing ceremony, held in front of a packed gymnasium at his high school. “I wanted to choose a place that felt like home, where the community supports you like family. Michigan State has that. The coaches believe in me, the fans are unbelievable, and I know this is the best place to grow as a player and a person.”
The $4 million NIL deal marks a major milestone for Michigan State, signaling the program’s aggressive push to stay competitive in the new era of collegiate athletics. Cooper’s deal is structured to include endorsements, appearances, merchandise partnerships, and social media campaigns—making him one of the highest-earning incoming freshmen in college basketball history.
Coach Tom Izzo, who has led Michigan State to eight Final Four appearances and a national championship in 2000, couldn’t contain his excitement. “Carson is a special talent, but more importantly, he’s a high-character young man,” Izzo said. “He’s humble, he works hard, and he understands the value of being part of something bigger than himself. Spartan Nation is going to love him.”
The decision to choose Michigan State over perennial contenders like Duke and Tennessee came as a surprise to some analysts, but those close to Cooper say his heart was set on East Lansing early in the process. The opportunity to play under a Hall of Fame coach, in a program with a rich tradition and passionate fanbase, was simply too good to pass up.
Carson Cooper’s arrival is already sending shockwaves across the Big Ten. With his size, versatility, and rim-protecting abilities, he is expected to make an immediate impact on both ends of the court. Paired with a strong returning roster and a top-ranked recruiting class, the Spartans are poised to contend for a national title in the coming seasons.
As the crowd chanted “Go Green!” at the end of his announcement, Carson smiled and raised his Spartan cap high. “I’m ready to work,” he said. “Let’s make history.”
The future is bright in East Lansing—and it stands 6 feet 11 inches tall.
