Izzo scores in Detroit

MSU fans will want to watch Detroit Pershing as much as possible next year. Big man Derrick Nix, all 6-9, 275 pounds of him, verbally committed today for the class of 2009, and he's teammates with Keith Appling, one of the top guards in the 2010 class and a prime MSU target.

    We'll have a full story from Sam Hosey Jr., who confirmed the commitment and is gathering interviews. This gives MSU two big men for the 2009 class, Nix and Garrick Sherman. A banger in Nix and a inside-out skilled big in Sherman.
    MSU loses four seniors next year (Suton, Gray, Walton, Ibok), so it could still add two players to this class, but it may be just one. Perhaps a wing (Jamil Wilson?) Perhaps another big guy (Donnavan Kirk?) Perhaps someone currently off the radar.
    I haven't seen Nix play, but from what I understand he's extremely strong around the basket, a true center, and he needs to keep improving his lateral movement. I haven't seen him in the 2009 rankings, but Hosey said Pitt, Ohio State and others are starting to show interest, and this is the time that juniors really start establishing their rankings on the AAU circuit.
    One of the most significant things about this commitment is the fact that it's another PSL kid. It appears Detroit is starting to really open up for MSU, no small development considering how things used to be. It'll be interesting to see if MSU can keep things rolling and get Appling, who by all accounts is a big-time prospect. Dwayne Stephens was the primary recruiter on Nix.

Comments

[Patrick]

This is great news. Another prime time recruit. Coach Izzo and staff have really tuned up the recruiting the past couple of years and it's showing. The '08 class is great and the '09 is looking like it will be the same. Congrats to MSU basketball and welcome Derrick Nix!!!

[Coach]

Baby Shaq in Green and White!

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiccccccceeeeee!!!!!! Between he and Roe, what a front line!

[313Spartan]

Music to my ears...as a PSL coach it is great too see!!! Keep recruiting the D baby!! Good job Coach Izzo!! Go Green!!

[313Spartan]

Look...I'm so excited I had a typo...(to)

[nadbadman]

no prob 313...keep up the good work in the d and izzo will keep plucking them...go green

[booster]

Couldn't find out a lot about this guy. He's not ranked at Scout and is a one star at Rivals. What's the word?

[Nick]

Hopefully Appling commits in a couple weeks

[Spartan in St Augustine]

From ESPN:
December, 2007: The term "Wide Body" was developed for players like Nix. Tipping the scales at just over 290 pounds, he's now slimmed down and has become a force on the floor. He's a load in the paint and simply can't be stopped once he catches the ball and squares up on the block. He keeps working hard to lose some weight and his efforts have paid off. He's got great hands and has surprisingly good footwork for a player that big. However, his stamina and end-to-end movement need to improve for him to be at his best. As you can imagine he's not much of a shot blocker at this point because his bounce is limited but he can score inside on anyone.

[Pistol]

Hey 313Spartan,
Have you seen this kid play? If so, what can you tell us? Thanks, Pistol

[xwing]

well it's hard to be too excited about a low rated recruit. he has a big body however and is only a junior so he could get better in a hurry. hopefully izzo sees something that the scouting gurus don't see. i would like to get jamil wilson and/or dashonte riley. 5 star recruits are a must to compete year in and year out.

[JB]

not to be Debbie Downer, because Nix is a solid recruit...but hes not a blue chip or anything. Hes raw and has had some weight issues. I think he'll be solid for us.

[nycspartan]

xwing--Riley is not the real deal--that is why state is backing off. His work ethic is bad and he has played nowhere near 5 star level. Probable that Nix will be rated a lot higher by the summer's end. I am happy abut the Nix pick upfor a couple of reasons: he is going to be a banger, hopefully Joey Dorsey type guy that we need and haven't had in a while and also, it bodes well to get his teammate Keith Appling, who would be a much better pick up for State in 2010 than Riley in 2009. Don't worry, Izzo will be after Nix to get skinny and keep his weight down.

[Hey. Don't Step on the 'S'! (aka Cmoney)]

I think he's a RS-fresheman type of player. He has to come a long way, but 2/3 years from now he could be solid.

[Nick]

Riley is not better than Nix.

[wasabigreen]

skip j. wilson!! this georgia kid richard howell should be our next target. rough and strong inside for a 6' 7". better than you know who, #2 as freshman. izzo needs athletes with size. skip riley = too soft.

[B Knapp]

I love this recruit. Don't necessarily count on him being redshirted. The kid has a few things Izzo has missed for years: He can rebound, and he's tough as nails.

We haven't had an enforcer inside like Antonio Smith or Al Anagonye in recent years. Derrick Nix is that guy.

Another plus, he's a much better scorer than them. Think Jason Maxiel with more size -- though much less spring.

Of course, this is all stuff I've taken from what things I've read. I have not seen him in person. Though others have, up close. Take a look at this article from the Detoit-area Regionals this March: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080306/SPORTS09/803060452

As for his weight, Izzo has never had a problem getting guys slimmer -- just stronger. And that's not Nix's weakness.

All in all, a solid pick.

[B Knapp]

By the Jason Maxiell comparison, I meant his hands and inside touch. Not his leaping.

[Tim]

Jamil Wilson is the next '09 Target for MSU. Howell wont be a spartan.

[JMack]

Big fella is a project. He has a big upside but he has to continue to work to get the weight off and improve his footwork. He missed a ton of bunnies against Romulus and Saginaw when I watched him. The big thing was his inability to get off the floor and
He is in the Traylor, Sparks mold. A big kid from now closed Murray Wright. I haven't been impressed with Riley either. His offensive game hasn't gotten better but he does benefit from getting the Prepspotlight exposure playing for the Nike sponsored Family last year. Actually I haven't been overly impressed with any of the Michigan big men. They seem very mechanical. Riley and Kirk are probably a little farther ahead in regards of footwork. Sparks scored more last year.

[wristbands_to_the_rescue]

I LOVE this move; it shows Izzo has finally learned some lessons over the past few years. One Izzo team characteristic that has been missing recently is toughness. Izzo was recruiting these multiple star, church going, goody two shoes prima donnas’ over the last few years and publically and privately trying to brow beat them into being tough. Clearly, it did not work. He has finally learned if you want a tough team, you need to recruit tough players. It’s that simple. Mateen, “Tone, and Big Al showed up ready for battle on day one.
At 6’9” and 280 ponds of Detroit PSL, Izzo finally has his new Luca Brasi.
WELCOME!

[CPArtan]

Clearly some of you guys need to talk to Izzo and convince him to subscribe to Rivals, Scout, etc. so he will have a better idea on who to recruit. LOL!!!! How long have Spartan fans complained that we need a guy that can really post up and score down low? I have a good feeling that Izzo knows what he is doing. It's not like we are getting close to the signing day and this was a desperation recruit. There are no guarantees how a 16-17 year old kid will turn out, but I'll trust Izzo on this one.

[spartanz]

What's the over/under on the number of stress fractures a kid this big will get in Izzo's program by the time he graduates??

[ct99]

I'm sick of recruits coming in and taking 2, 3, 4, years to live up to any standards and in Marquise Gray's situation not evolving into more than a 15 minute 6 points 4 rebouds type of player. We need guys to make an impact in year 1 and with the other talent out there on other teams, this is what we need to win championships in the Big Ten and Nationally. Roe and Green have to make some kind of inpact the first year. Suton is inconsistent and we need aggressiveness under the basket to win a national championship. Nice work Izzo.

[CPArtan]

Clearly MSU needs to fire Izzo and hire you, ct99. I'm sure the nation's finest recruits will come pouring in at that point, if for no other reason than you REALLY want them to and you'll be sick if they don't! LOL!!!

[SpartaninBoston]

He's a one star kid? I agree a big body can be a good thing, but he's a one star. Will that help with recruiting?