ESPN ๐: Guinness World Record Holder Rejects Multi-Million Dollar SEC Deals to Commit to Michigan State!
Historic Move Shakes Up College Hoops as Tallest Player in the World Turns Down Florida, Kentucky, and Texas for a Spartan Dream!
By: Evan Kingsley, Senior College Hoops Analyst โ June 23, 2025
In one of the most electrifying and unconventional college basketball decisions in recent memory, 7-foot-9 phenom Elijah โEliโ Mbaweโofficially recognized by Guinness World Records as the Tallest Active Basketball Player in the Worldโhas stunned the basketball world by committing to Michigan State University, snubbing jaw-dropping NIL offers from powerhouse SEC programs including Kentucky, Florida, and Texas.
Mbawe, the 18-year-old South Sudanese-born center, has been a global sensation since age 15. Standing at a breathtaking 7’9″ without shoes and sporting an 8’2″ wingspan, his viral highlight reels have drawn comparisons to a young Yao Ming, but with the agility of a modern big man. What sets Eli apart, however, isnโt just his towering heightโitโs his unshakable loyalty and cerebral approach to the game.
Sources close to the situation confirm that Mbawe turned down three SEC offers collectively worth over $6.8 million in NIL endorsements, including a $2.5 million package from Texas and a sneaker deal with a major global brand contingent on him committing to Florida.
Instead, he chose East Lansing.
> โThis decision isnโt about money. Itโs about legacy, development, and building something meaningful,โ said Mbawe in a televised statement. โCoach Izzo believed in me before the hype. He didnโt promise millionsโhe promised mentorship, accountability, and a shot at greatness.โ
Tom Izzo, entering his 31st season at the helm of the Spartans, called the commitment โthe most meaningful momentโ of his coaching career.
> โElijah is the kind of player you donโt coach every day. But itโs not just about his heightโitโs his mind, his heart, and his maturity. Weโre not just getting a once-in-a-generation athleteโweโre getting a leader,โ Izzo said.
Elijah Mbawe grew up in a refugee camp near the Nile River and moved to Canada with his mother at age 10. He learned English in three years, aced his SATs, and graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA. A self-described โbasketball nerd,โ Mbawe studies game tape of Hakeem Olajuwon and Nikola Jokiฤ obsessively and reportedly practices footwork drills for hours a day in addition to yoga and ballet to hone his balance.
His impact on the court is undeniable. At the 2024 U18 World Championships, he averaged 23.7 points, 17.4 rebounds, and 6.1 blocks per game, leading Canada to a silver medal. Scouts say he has the touch of a guard, the defensive presence of a seasoned pro, and the motor of a high-level competitor.
Mbawe will join a Michigan State roster already poised for a deep tournament run. With this addition, theyโre projected to enter the 2025โ26 season as a Top 3 preseason favorite and a legitimate Final Four contender.
Industry experts say this decision may reshape the NIL landscape, signaling that culture, coaching, and personal development can still outweigh raw financial incentives.
> โHe just changed the game,โ said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. โElijah choosing Michigan State over millions shows that for elite players, college basketball can still be about more than just the bag. Itโs about vision.โ
Fans in East Lansing flooded social media with the hashtag #SpartanGiant as Mbawe’s announcement went viral, amassing over 20 million views in 24 hours.
The tallest player in college basketball history has spokenโand his message is loud, clear, and Spartan green.
