Michigan State replenishes backcourt by landing five-star wing
The last time Michigan State secured a commitment from an elite prospect, center Caleb Swanigan changed his mind soon afterward and eventually signed with Purdue.
The Spartans are hoping their latest commitment yields a better outcome.
Josh Langford, a 6-foot-6 guard from Madison, Ala., committed to Michigan State on Monday after taking an official visit to the school over the weekend. Langord, Rivals.com’s No. 17 prospect in the class of 2016, chose the Spartans over the likes of Kentucky, Arizona and Duke, among others.
The addition of Langford will help Michigan State replenish a perimeter corps that lost leading scorer Travis Trice this spring and will lose seniors-to-be Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes next year. Langford could play alongside promising West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, pass-first point guard LouRawls Nairn and deadly shooter Matt McQuaid if all three opt to remain in East Lansing beyond the 2015-16 season.
What Langford will bring to Michigan State is the versatility to score in multiple ways. He has the size, athleticism and skill to attack the rim off the dribble or score in the post and he has improved the range and consistency of his jump shot too in recent months.
Langford’s decisiion is a punch to the gut for rival Michigan because the Wolverines had a realistic chance to land the wing before accepting a commitment from fellow five-star guard Tyus Battle earlier this year. Battle decommitted over the weekend, leaving the Wolverines no time to get back in the race for Langford.
With Langford and fellow top 100 prospect Nick Ward both having committed already, Michigan State could be poised to assemble a special 2016 class. They’re also in contention for a pair of top in-state prospects, point guard Cassius Winston and forward Miles Bridges.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
