Izzo’s Roster Takes a Hit: Kaleb Glenn Injury Leaves Spartans Searching for Answers on the Wing
By Jenna McGrath | June 23, 2025 | ESPN College Basketball Insider
Just weeks after securing the monumental commitment of 7’9″ center Elijah Mbawe, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo now faces an unexpected and potentially season-defining setback. Sophomore forward Kaleb Glenn, projected to be the Spartans’ starting small forward and a key two-way contributor, has suffered a significant right knee injury during a team scrimmage in East Lansing, sources confirmed Monday.
The injury—diagnosed as a partially torn MCL and bone bruising—is expected to sideline Glenn for 10 to 12 weeks, casting serious doubt on his availability for the first stretch of the 2025–26 season, including high-profile non-conference matchups against Duke and Kansas.
> “It’s tough, no doubt,” Izzo said at a press conference. “Kaleb was having the best offseason of his young career. His energy, his physicality, his maturity—it’s a big loss, but it’s also an opportunity for others to step up.”
Glenn, a 6’7″, 225-pound sophomore originally from Louisville, Kentucky, transferred to Michigan State last season after limited minutes at Louisville. Under Izzo’s system, he blossomed late in the year, carving out a role as a high-motor wing with the strength to battle in the paint and the quickness to defend multiple positions. He averaged 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and became a defensive anchor on the perimeter.
Izzo and his staff had planned for Glenn to start alongside sophomore sharpshooter Tre Holloman and five-star freshman point guard Marcus Breedlove, forming a dynamic and versatile perimeter trio. Now, the Spartans must regroup—and quickly.
Who Fills the Void?
All eyes now turn to junior wing Xavier Booker, whose flashes of brilliance have been tempered by inconsistency. Booker, once a McDonald’s All-American, has all the tools—length, athleticism, and shot-making ability—but will need to show he can defend and stay locked in for extended minutes.
Incoming freshman Deshawn Bailey, a four-star recruit from Chicago, also becomes a name to watch. Bailey, a 6’6″ high-flyer known for his transition finishing and defensive instincts, was originally expected to ease into the rotation. That timeline just accelerated.
Don’t count out senior Jaden Akins, either. Though more of a shooting guard by trade, Akins has logged minutes at the wing and brings the experience Izzo will desperately need during Glenn’s absence.
A Crucial Early Test
The injury could not come at a worse time. Michigan State opens its season with a grueling November schedule that includes:
Nov. 14: vs. Duke (Champions Classic, Chicago)
Nov. 22: @ Texas (Big Ten–SEC Challenge)
Dec. 3: vs. Kansas (Breslin Center, marquee home game)> “There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves,” said senior captain Malik Hall. “We’ve got the depth. We’ve got the talent. Now it’s about executing and staying together.”
Despite the setback, the Spartans still boast one of the deepest frontcourts in the nation with Elijah Mbawe anchoring the paint and veteran power forward Carson Cooper returning for his junior campaign.
But Glenn’s absence leaves a noticeable void in the team’s balance—particularly on the defensive end and in transition scoring. If Michigan State hopes to contend for a Final Four in what many are calling Izzo’s most talented roster in over a decade, they’ll need to find wing stability fast.
> “Kaleb’s coming back, and he’ll be stronger than ever,” Izzo emphasized. “Until then, this is what Spartan basketball is about—toughness, adaptability, and playing for each other.”
With expectations sky-high and the spotlight glaring, the Spartans are already being tested. And as always under Izzo, adversity might just fuel greatness.
