Projected Michigan State basketball starting 5 after Trey Fort transfer

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Projected Michigan State basketball starting 5 after Trey Fort transfer

Not too shabby.

Connor Muldowney

Apr 18, 2025

Mar 30, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo during the first half in the South Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament against the Auburn Tigers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Trey Fort made a lot of Michigan State basketball fans’ weekends as he committed to the Spartans on Friday afternoon, joining an ever-changing roster this offseason as the projected starting shooting guard.

Fort is now the second transfer to commit to Michigan State this offseason, joining FAU wing Kaleb Glenn who led the Owls in scoring this past season.

With this commitment, it feels like Michigan State is a backup point guard away from being really good next year. Heck, we’d take a return from Jase Richardson (likely not going to happen but we can dream). A backup to Jeremy Fears Jr. would make Michigan State one of the top three favorites to win the Big Ten again next year.

Now that the starting five seems set, here’s what I think it should look like next year.

Point guard: Jeremy Fears Jr., Sophomore

This one is obvious and probably the easiest pick of the bunch. Fears has the ability to lead an offense and play around 30 minutes per game at the point but he needs to work on his offensive game for next year. If he can prove to be a threat offensively, teams are going to have a difficult time guarding him along with the two new sharpshooters the Spartans landed.

Still, one of the best playmakers and passers in the country and he’s going to need to take a big step in year two.

Shooting guard: Trey Fort, Senior

Trey Fort comes in after leading Samford in scoring with 14.6 points per game. He is capable of filling it up from deep (38 percent last year) and can score in bunches (Wofford game is a prime example). He needs to work on his passing as he averaged just 1.4 assists per game, but he’s a willing rebounder with size at 6-foot-4 who can defend and play at a high level. He’s the former No. 1 JUCO prospect in the nation before playing one season at Mississippi State.

Now he’s at the real MSU.

Small forward: Kaleb Glenn, Junior

A lot of projections have Kaleb Glenn coming off the bench, but I think Michigan State’s best possible lineup will have him in the starting five. He shot 41 percent from deep last year and averaged just under 13 points per game, leading FAU. He’s a former top-75 recruit in the 2023 class who played with Jeremy Fears Jr. at the prep level so the familiarity there is going to help. Oh, and he’s a really good athlete who can throw down at any time.

If he can improve defensively just slightly, Michigan State will have itself a really good plus wing. I wouldn’t be shocked if he came off the bench, but the best, most athletic lineup has him starting.

Power forward: Coen Carr, Junior

Yes, we’re going small-ball here. I think Coen Carr can defend the power forward spot well and he’s not afraid to go up against guys bigger than him and, honestly, this creates an offensive mismatch because he’s capable of putting the ball on the floor and driving the lane. He worked a lot on his offensive game this past year and all that’s missing is a consistent jumper. Add one of those, and he’s Big Ten Player of the Year caliber.

Imagine all the lobs Carr and Glenn will catch from Fears this season. Lob City 2.0.

Center: Jaxon Kohler, Senior

Call me crazy, but I think the best lineup for Michigan State features Carr at the four and Jaxon Kohler at the five instead of the latter at the four, the former at the three, and Carson Cooper at the five.

Do I think Cooper has earned more respect? Yes, he worked hard last season to improve and was really solid by year’s end. But I just don’t think he’s the starting center — yet. Kohler can show his worth this year by improving defensively and working on finishing offensively. He can get to the rim but he blew a lot of bunnies last year. Also, Jaxon needs to work on that touch in his Rasheed Wallace-esque turnaround game. He has the ability, just needs to put finishing touches on it.

I think we’re going to see a huge jump in production next season from Kohler.

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