In a stunning win for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans, Kelvin Savage Jr., a 6-foot-11 top-10 national recruit and one of the most dominant frontcourt prospects in the 2025 class, has officially committed to Michigan State, ending months of speculation and rejecting powerhouse offers from the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Alabama, and UConn.
This commitment isn’t just another high-profile addition—it’s a resounding declaration from Savage Jr., and a bold statement from Michigan State’s program: East Lansing is still one of college basketball’s elite recruiting destinations.
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The Savage Decision: Why Michigan State?
From the moment Kelvin Savage Jr. burst onto the scene, his blend of size, athleticism, shot-blocking, and low-post finesse made him a must-watch for elite programs. At 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds, the Georgia native has been compared to NBA players like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bam Adebayo for his two-way versatility.
But despite intense interest from blue-blood programs, Savage Jr. felt something different when he visited Michigan State.
> “It just felt like home,” Savage Jr. said in his announcement. “Coach Izzo kept it real from day one. The culture, the toughness, the fan base—it’s everything I was looking for.”
During his official visit to East Lansing, Savage attended a closed-door practice and was reportedly “blown away” by the intensity, structure, and family-like atmosphere within the team. Sources close to the Savage family say the visit sealed the deal.
> “We’ve been to a lot of campuses, but Michigan State stood out,” said Kelvin’s father, Kelvin Savage Sr., a former pro player overseas. “Coach Izzo treated my son like more than a player—he treated him like a person, a young man with a future beyond basketball.”
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Shutting It Down Early
Savage Jr.’s commitment shocked recruiting insiders not because MSU wasn’t in the mix—they were always a finalist—but because he chose to shut down his recruitment months ahead of schedule.
Projected to be a spring signee, Savage instead pulled the trigger in June, declining visits he had scheduled with Alabama and UConn and calling coaches from several programs personally to tell them he was no longer considering their offers.
This kind of early closure is rare for top-tier recruits, especially one with Savage’s star power and a reported seven-figure NIL valuation. But according to the young star, the decision was about trust—not hype.
> “I didn’t need to keep looking. I found my place,” Savage said. “I want to win a national championship. I want to be developed the right way. Michigan State gives me both.”
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A Massive Get for Tom Izzo
This commitment is monumental for Coach Tom Izzo, who has made a habit out of landing tough, high-IQ players who elevate the Spartan brand. But snagging a top-10 national prospect—especially one who plays a premium position—is a throwback to MSU’s heyday.
Savage Jr. becomes the highest-rated big man Izzo has landed since Jaren Jackson Jr., who helped power the Spartans in 2017–18 and is now an NBA All-Star with the Memphis Grizzlies.
> “Kelvin’s got all the tools,” Izzo said in a brief statement. “But more importantly, he’s got the mindset we look for. He wants to be coached hard. He wants to win. He wants to leave a legacy.”
Insiders believe Savage could start from day one for MSU, especially with senior big men expected to graduate and potential early NBA departures opening minutes in the frontcourt.
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Scouting Report: The Complete Big Man
▪ Physical Tools
Savage Jr. is a physical marvel. At nearly 7-feet tall with a 7’4″ wingspan, he moves fluidly in transition and has impressive lateral quickness for his size. He uses his frame effectively on both ends, sealing off defenders in the post and altering shots without fouling.
▪ Defense
Savage is an elite rim protector—averaging 4.2 blocks per game as a junior—and has shown the ability to switch onto guards in short bursts. His timing and defensive IQ make him a game-changer on that end.
▪ Offense
Offensively, Savage is rapidly expanding his game. He’s a force on the block, with a soft touch around the rim and a developing mid-range jumper. This past season, he also showcased glimpses of stretch-5 potential, hitting threes at a 35% clip on limited attempts.
▪ Leadership
Despite his age, Savage is known as a vocal leader. Coaches and teammates say he brings a professional mindset and a relentless work ethic to the gym.
> “He’s got the body, the game, and the brain,” said one rival high school coach. “He’s going to be scary in a system like Michigan State’s.”
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The National Reaction
Social media exploded when Savage Jr. announced his commitment via a slick video montage on Instagram, wearing green and white and walking through the Breslin Center with a voiceover declaring, “Legacy over hype.”
National analysts quickly reshuffled mock class rankings, with several outlets moving Michigan State’s 2025 class into the top 5 nationally with Savage’s addition. ESPN’s Paul Biancardi called it “a culture-defining commitment.”
> “Savage isn’t just a recruit—he’s a cornerstone,” Biancardi said. “This elevates the entire ceiling for MSU in 2025.”
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Spartan Frontcourt Outlook
With Savage Jr. locked in, Michigan State’s future frontcourt now looks terrifying on paper. He’ll likely pair with Xavier Booker (if he returns for his junior year) or incoming stretch-4 prospect David Alston, giving MSU a twin-tower setup that’s rare in today’s college basketball.
In a Big Ten conference that continues to value elite bigs, this gives MSU a clear path to dominance in the paint.
> “It’s a throwback to the old-school Spartan teams—tough, big, and built from the inside out,” one Big Ten assistant coach remarked anonymously. “Tom Izzo just changed the calculus for next year.”
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NIL Factor: A Value-Based Commitment
While the NIL landscape has drastically changed recruiting, sources close to the Savage camp emphasized that money wasn’t the top motivator. Though Michigan State does have an active collective and will offer strong support, Savage prioritized fit, legacy, and development.
> “We had bigger NIL offers on the table,” Savage Sr. confirmed. “But this was about finding the right fit for his game and his growth. Michigan State earned that trust.”
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What Comes Next?
Savage will return for his senior season at Oak Hill Academy, where he’ll lead a loaded team expected to compete for a national title. He also plans to enroll early at MSU next summer to begin training and development ahead of the 2025–26 season.
He’s also expected to be part of Team USA’s U18 roster in international play and is projected as a potential top-5 NBA Draft pick in 2026, according to multiple early mock drafts.
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Final Thoughts: A Culture Statement
Landing Kelvin Savage Jr. isn’t just about the player—it’s about what his commitment symbolizes. In an era where flash often outweighs fundamentals, Savage chose grit, tradition, and team culture.
He chose Tom Izzo over TikTok. Development over dollars. Legacy over limelight.
> “This isn’t just a basketball decision,” Savage Jr. said. “It’s about building something real. I want to be remembered. And I want to bring a title to Michigan State.”
With one of the best big men in the country headed to East Lansing, the Spartans just got a whole lot more dangerous. The rest of the college basketball world has officially been put on notice.
