Antonio Pemberton, a top-25 recruit and five-star point guard, officially committed to the Michigan State Spartans on Friday afternoon, instantly throwing a wild curveball into the team’s future roster outlook. This kid is the real deal, and his decision means things are about to get super interesting in East Lansing.
This Kid Is A ‘Walking Bucket’ For Real
Pemberton, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard, saw his stock absolutely skyrocket on the AAU circuit this summer. He picked the Spartans over powerhouses like Kansas, Tennessee, Marquette, and Creighton, making his announcement right after a visit to East Lansing during Grind Week. Talk about a closing tool, huh? This dude is pure point guard energy, but he’s also a scorer, a “walking bucket” according to his film. He can get his own shot at multiple levels, even at the rim. Sounds a lot like incoming freshman Carlos Medlock Jr., right? The crazy part is, these two are such comfortable scorers and shooters, they might actually play together instead of just platooning. That is, if one of them can defend bigger shooting guards. Pemberton, from Methuen, Massachusetts, played high school ball at Brewster Academy and now Masters Academy International. He’s a top five point guard prospect nationally and the first commitment for MSU’s potentially small 2027 class. Yeah, the future just got way more intriguing.
Five-Year Eligibility Means Roster Roulette
Here’s where it gets complicated. College players now have five years of eligibility. Think about that for a second. Every single player on MSU’s current roster, except for transfer center Anton Bonke, still has another year of college ball if they want it. That includes senior Coen Carr and redshirt junior Jeremy Fears Jr. This rule forces coaches to be mind readers, figuring out who’s staying and who’s going before offering scholarships. It’s a long time to stay at one program, frankly, it’s not natural. For example, it would be a shocker if Carr plans on two more seasons, and Fears? Nope, definitely not. That’s exactly why Pemberton’s recruitment happened. You can’t imagine Pemberton joining a squad with Fears in his fifth year and Medlock Jr. in his second. So, expect Medlock Jr. and Pemberton to run the point, potentially side-by-side in 2027-28. How much depends on whether guards Jasiah Jervis and Kur Teng and wing Jordan Scott are still around. Scott’s position could even shift based on guys like Carr and Kaleb Glenn sticking around. It’s a chess match, man.
This commitment is a massive win for Izzo and the Spartans, securing a bona fide star for the future. The ripple effects will be fascinating to watch as the roster picture clears up, but one thing’s for sure: Michigan State basketball is not going quietly into the night. Get ready for some wild times ahead in East Lansing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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