Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Spartans Add Four in Nationally-Recognized Recruiting Class on Signing Day
11/17/2025 9:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo has announced the signing of Julius Avent, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr. and Ethan Taylor, who will join the program for the 2026-27 school year.
"I think we just came off one of our better recruiting classes in years and years and years, and I give a lot of credit to my entire staff," MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo said. "Everybody kind of joined in, everybody had their own guy, and everybody connected with the families. In this day and age of transactions, Michigan State is still trying to be a relationship-based organization, program, whatever you want to call it. But I'm excited that the parents of these kids had just as much influence on our decision as the kids did.
"We think we hit a home run because we think we got players we need, in positions we need. We got the kind of people we need, 'Our Kind of Guys,' and we got guys that our players really enjoyed on the visit and helped recruit them. So, I just want to publicly thank everyone that was involved, from our video crews, to our trainers and strength coaches, to my assistant coaches, to all of the wives that helped on the visits; this was a family affair in a day in age that is not necessarily that way. So, I'm happy to say it's still that way at Michigan State."
Julius Avent (6-7, 220, Forward – Oradell, N.J. / Bergen Catholic)
A four-star recruit who is ranked No. 78 overall, No. 15 among power forwards by 247 Sports and No. 2 in the state of New Jersey … Averaged 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 assists last year as he helped Bergen Catholic to a Non-Public A state boys' basketball championship … Averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds during the 2025 EYBL summer for the PSA Cardinals … His father, Anthony, played basketball at Seton Hall and helped lead the Pirates to the 1989 Final Four before playing in the NBA for six years.
Izzo on Avent…
"Next on the commitment list was Julius Avent. Again, Julius, when his family came here, we were kind of really excited. His dad played for P.J. Carlesimo at Seton Hall and then played in the NBA. Steve Smith knew his dad really well. He comes from good stock; mom and dad were very interesting and fun on the visit. But Julius is one of those hybrid guys; he can play two or three positions. He kind of grew on us as we went. Everybody talked about what he couldn't do; then all of a sudden everyone started talking about what he could do. He could defend multiple positions, he can shoot the three, he's got length, he's got long arms and is a pretty tough kid. The fact that his mom and dad and brother kind of all picked Michigan State makes this a very family affair and one that I'm very excited about for the future."
Jasiah Jervis (6-4, 190, Guard – Bronx, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac)
A four-star recruit from New York City who plays at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, N.Y.… Ranked No. 38 nationally by 247 Sports, No. 3 among shooting guards and No. 2 in the state … Helped lead Archbishop Stepinac a 26-4 overall record and to the 2025 New York City Championship – CHSAAA vs. PSAL "AA" City Champions, the third in his career … Averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior and was named First Team All-CHSAA … A New York State Sportswriters Association Sixth Team All-State selection as a junior and was named to the Lower Hudson First Team All-Westchester/Putnam County team … Part of teams that won the 2025 CHSAA Class AA New York State title, the CHSAA Class AA New York City championship, the 2025 CHSAA New York Archdiocesan Division Champions and the No. 1 ranked team in Class AA in New York … In three years, he was part of three city and state championship teams, starting as a sophomore and a junior.
Izzo on Jervis…
"Jasiah Jervis was a guy we started recruiting last spring and started recruiting him hard. He comes from an incredible program in Stepinac, who have won the championship more than a few times. Had some great college players that have been there. His coach Pat (Massaroni) was just amazing in the process, but mom and dad were special, because every time I said goodbye, she said 'Go Green,' and I felt like Falana was sort of in our corner. I felt like Rhodes, the dad, was definitely one that appreciated what we had to offer. I think he's kind of a Gary Harris type-player, a rare guard that can shoot it and guard it, and right now we think he'll be a tremendous addition. Hopefully a Mcdonald;s All-American that can come in here immediately and give us some help. So we're really excited about Jasiah, his family, his high school, and what they've accomplished so far. And hopefully he'll bring that winningness to Michigan State."
Carlos Medlock Jr. (5-11, 165, Guard – Wayne, Mich. / Link Academy [Mo.])
First player of the class to commit to Michigan State … A four-star recruit who ranks among the top guards in Michigan … Currently attends Link Academy in Missouri … Rated as the No. 66 overall player in his class and No. 7 among point guards … Helped lead Wayne Memorial to their first-ever Division I championship game appearance in 2004 … Averaged 24.9 points and 4.8 assists as a junior at Wayne … Scored 30 points in the state playoffs against U-D Jesuit, followed by 29 points against Flint Carman-Ainsworth in the semifinals … Helped lead Wayne to a 25-4 record last season … His father, Carlos Sr., played basketball at Eastern Michigan … Teammates at Link Academy with fellow MSU signee Ethan Taylor.
Izzo on Medlock…
"CJ Medlock, my future quarterback, and that's a very important position to me. This kid had one thing that really stood out to me: he really wanted to be here. He's from the state of Michigan, his parents see a lot of his games, he's got two sisters that are incredible, so that made this the family decision, and CJ is a lightning quick point guard, kind of reminds me of a Kalin Lucas, can really shoot the ball, and I think he's gonna be a very tough defender. He is the first one to commit and kind of rallied the rest of them around him. CJ was a great addition for us."
Ethan Taylor (7-1, 244, Center –Shawnee, Kan. / Link Academy [Mo.])
Ranked No. 23 nationally overall and the second-ranked center in 2026 by 247 Sports … Transferred this summer from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School to Link Academy in Missouri … Averaged 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots while shooting 70.3 percent from the floor and 67.8 percent from the free throw line as a junior at Shawnee Mission Northwest … He was a first team all-state selection as a junior in 2025 and a second team honoree as a sophomore in 2024 … Earned first team all-league nods in both 2024 and 2025, was named the Sunflower League's Sophomore of the Year in 2024 and Freshman of the Year in 2023 … He was the Class 6A Kansas State Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and left Shawnee Northwest as the school's all-time leading rebounder and all-time leader in blocked shots, in just three years on the varsity level …. Helped lead Shawnee Northwest to two Class GA state championships and to two league titles … Shawnee Northwest lost just one game in the last two years Taylor played with the team … Named the Most Outstanding Player at the Northtown Classic Tournament in 2024 … Played for Mokan Elite AAU program … Teammates will fellow MSU signee Curtis Medlock Jr.
Izzo on Taylor…
"We saved the biggest for last, but the last guy to commit to us was Ethan Taylor, and it was another long recruitment that my assistants did all of the work and I give them credit. Jon (Borovich) was very involved with him and his family, Jacqueline and Jason. They were unique people. You probably saw the pictures, but I heard he liked pizza, so we made pizzas on his visit, and I'm sure what excited him the most was Midnight Madness and all of the activities. He's 7-1 and a half in bare feet, one of the biggest Spartans ever. What I really love about Ethan is that he has a personality; he has a game that is going to continuously get better. And like a Jaren Jackson Jr. of recent, who came in at 220 (pounds), Ethan comes in at 244 right now, so his body is developed, he's got the long arms, he's got incredible part to his game where he has quickness, and we are so excited about having him and his family."
"I think we just came off one of our better recruiting classes in years and years and years, and I give a lot of credit to my entire staff," MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo said. "Everybody kind of joined in, everybody had their own guy, and everybody connected with the families. In this day and age of transactions, Michigan State is still trying to be a relationship-based organization, program, whatever you want to call it. But I'm excited that the parents of these kids had just as much influence on our decision as the kids did.
"We think we hit a home run because we think we got players we need, in positions we need. We got the kind of people we need, 'Our Kind of Guys,' and we got guys that our players really enjoyed on the visit and helped recruit them. So, I just want to publicly thank everyone that was involved, from our video crews, to our trainers and strength coaches, to my assistant coaches, to all of the wives that helped on the visits; this was a family affair in a day in age that is not necessarily that way. So, I'm happy to say it's still that way at Michigan State."
Julius Avent (6-7, 220, Forward – Oradell, N.J. / Bergen Catholic)
A four-star recruit who is ranked No. 78 overall, No. 15 among power forwards by 247 Sports and No. 2 in the state of New Jersey … Averaged 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 assists last year as he helped Bergen Catholic to a Non-Public A state boys' basketball championship … Averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds during the 2025 EYBL summer for the PSA Cardinals … His father, Anthony, played basketball at Seton Hall and helped lead the Pirates to the 1989 Final Four before playing in the NBA for six years.
Izzo on Avent…
"Next on the commitment list was Julius Avent. Again, Julius, when his family came here, we were kind of really excited. His dad played for P.J. Carlesimo at Seton Hall and then played in the NBA. Steve Smith knew his dad really well. He comes from good stock; mom and dad were very interesting and fun on the visit. But Julius is one of those hybrid guys; he can play two or three positions. He kind of grew on us as we went. Everybody talked about what he couldn't do; then all of a sudden everyone started talking about what he could do. He could defend multiple positions, he can shoot the three, he's got length, he's got long arms and is a pretty tough kid. The fact that his mom and dad and brother kind of all picked Michigan State makes this a very family affair and one that I'm very excited about for the future."
Jasiah Jervis (6-4, 190, Guard – Bronx, N.Y. / Archbishop Stepinac)
A four-star recruit from New York City who plays at Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains, N.Y.… Ranked No. 38 nationally by 247 Sports, No. 3 among shooting guards and No. 2 in the state … Helped lead Archbishop Stepinac a 26-4 overall record and to the 2025 New York City Championship – CHSAAA vs. PSAL "AA" City Champions, the third in his career … Averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior and was named First Team All-CHSAA … A New York State Sportswriters Association Sixth Team All-State selection as a junior and was named to the Lower Hudson First Team All-Westchester/Putnam County team … Part of teams that won the 2025 CHSAA Class AA New York State title, the CHSAA Class AA New York City championship, the 2025 CHSAA New York Archdiocesan Division Champions and the No. 1 ranked team in Class AA in New York … In three years, he was part of three city and state championship teams, starting as a sophomore and a junior.
Izzo on Jervis…
"Jasiah Jervis was a guy we started recruiting last spring and started recruiting him hard. He comes from an incredible program in Stepinac, who have won the championship more than a few times. Had some great college players that have been there. His coach Pat (Massaroni) was just amazing in the process, but mom and dad were special, because every time I said goodbye, she said 'Go Green,' and I felt like Falana was sort of in our corner. I felt like Rhodes, the dad, was definitely one that appreciated what we had to offer. I think he's kind of a Gary Harris type-player, a rare guard that can shoot it and guard it, and right now we think he'll be a tremendous addition. Hopefully a Mcdonald;s All-American that can come in here immediately and give us some help. So we're really excited about Jasiah, his family, his high school, and what they've accomplished so far. And hopefully he'll bring that winningness to Michigan State."
Carlos Medlock Jr. (5-11, 165, Guard – Wayne, Mich. / Link Academy [Mo.])
First player of the class to commit to Michigan State … A four-star recruit who ranks among the top guards in Michigan … Currently attends Link Academy in Missouri … Rated as the No. 66 overall player in his class and No. 7 among point guards … Helped lead Wayne Memorial to their first-ever Division I championship game appearance in 2004 … Averaged 24.9 points and 4.8 assists as a junior at Wayne … Scored 30 points in the state playoffs against U-D Jesuit, followed by 29 points against Flint Carman-Ainsworth in the semifinals … Helped lead Wayne to a 25-4 record last season … His father, Carlos Sr., played basketball at Eastern Michigan … Teammates at Link Academy with fellow MSU signee Ethan Taylor.
Izzo on Medlock…
"CJ Medlock, my future quarterback, and that's a very important position to me. This kid had one thing that really stood out to me: he really wanted to be here. He's from the state of Michigan, his parents see a lot of his games, he's got two sisters that are incredible, so that made this the family decision, and CJ is a lightning quick point guard, kind of reminds me of a Kalin Lucas, can really shoot the ball, and I think he's gonna be a very tough defender. He is the first one to commit and kind of rallied the rest of them around him. CJ was a great addition for us."
Ethan Taylor (7-1, 244, Center –Shawnee, Kan. / Link Academy [Mo.])
Ranked No. 23 nationally overall and the second-ranked center in 2026 by 247 Sports … Transferred this summer from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School to Link Academy in Missouri … Averaged 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots while shooting 70.3 percent from the floor and 67.8 percent from the free throw line as a junior at Shawnee Mission Northwest … He was a first team all-state selection as a junior in 2025 and a second team honoree as a sophomore in 2024 … Earned first team all-league nods in both 2024 and 2025, was named the Sunflower League's Sophomore of the Year in 2024 and Freshman of the Year in 2023 … He was the Class 6A Kansas State Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and left Shawnee Northwest as the school's all-time leading rebounder and all-time leader in blocked shots, in just three years on the varsity level …. Helped lead Shawnee Northwest to two Class GA state championships and to two league titles … Shawnee Northwest lost just one game in the last two years Taylor played with the team … Named the Most Outstanding Player at the Northtown Classic Tournament in 2024 … Played for Mokan Elite AAU program … Teammates will fellow MSU signee Curtis Medlock Jr.
Izzo on Taylor…
"We saved the biggest for last, but the last guy to commit to us was Ethan Taylor, and it was another long recruitment that my assistants did all of the work and I give them credit. Jon (Borovich) was very involved with him and his family, Jacqueline and Jason. They were unique people. You probably saw the pictures, but I heard he liked pizza, so we made pizzas on his visit, and I'm sure what excited him the most was Midnight Madness and all of the activities. He's 7-1 and a half in bare feet, one of the biggest Spartans ever. What I really love about Ethan is that he has a personality; he has a game that is going to continuously get better. And like a Jaren Jackson Jr. of recent, who came in at 220 (pounds), Ethan comes in at 244 right now, so his body is developed, he's got the long arms, he's got incredible part to his game where he has quickness, and we are so excited about having him and his family."
Tom Izzo Post Game Comments | SJSU | Nov. 13 2025
Thursday, November 13
Tom Izzo Post Game Comments | ARK | Nov. 8 2025
Saturday, November 08
Tom Izzo Post Game Comments | BGSU | Oct. 23 2025
Thursday, October 23
Tom Izzo | Men's Basketball Press Conference | Oct. 16 2025
Thursday, October 16