The Michigan State Spartans are building something special for the future, and the latest piece of the puzzle is power forward Julius Avent. Let's break down what this 2026 recruit brings to East Lansing.
Ranked as a 4-star prospect and sitting at No. 87 in 247 Sports' composite rankings—after a slight three-spot dip this week—Avent is already turning heads. But his game is about more than just numbers.
At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, with a staggering 7-foot-3 wingspan and an 8-foot-11 standing reach, Avent has the kind of physical tools that scream "Tom Izzo guy." He's built to play tough, physical basketball. Scouts love his frame, though his game doesn't always translate to the stat sheet in expected ways. He's a solid rebounder, but his rim protection on defense could use work. Fortunately, that's exactly the kind of area where Izzo's coaching can make a huge difference.
Avent's recruitment was a hot one, with nine offers from schools like Penn State, Xavier, Providence, Seton Hall, Washington, Mississippi State, and George Washington. But in the end, the Spartans won out—even after Avent committed and took a visit to Seton Hall the very next day. That's loyalty and a sign of real belief in the program.
During his senior season at Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, Avent averaged 15 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He saved his best for the biggest stage, dropping 21 points in the state championship game to help his team win the title in overtime. Basketball runs in the family, too—he's the son of six-year NBA veteran Anthony Avent, who played for five different teams during his career.
Watching his film, you see a player who can get into the paint with ease. He's a ball pusher who isn't afraid of contact down low. He has a knack for getting defenders in trouble and drawing fouls, which is reflected in his 83% free-throw shooting—even with an unorthodox release. When defenses collapse around him, he's capable of kicking the ball out to open shooters.
Defensively, Avent shows good instincts for jumping passing lanes and creating turnovers. The main area for growth will be his lateral quickness, which can be exploited at the college level on switches. But with that incredible wingspan, he often makes up for it. Izzo's system could be the perfect place to refine those weaknesses into strengths.