A New Battle in the Paint
Michigan State’s basketball program enters the 2026‑27 season facing a stark reality: the loss of both Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler leaves a void at the center position that will be felt across the roster.
Senior forward Cam Ward is expected to shoulder an expanded role at power forward, providing the interior presence and rebounding that the team will need to stay competitive.
The competition for the starting center spot has crystallized into a duel between transfer Anton Bonke and freshman phenom Ethan Taylor. Bonke, a 7‑foot‑2 big man who spent last season with the 49ers, brings a blend of size, shooting efficiency and NBA‑draft experience, while Taylor arrives as a top‑40 national recruit whose work ethic has already drawn praise from teammates.
Bonke’s statistical footprint from the previous year — 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and a 57 % field‑goal percentage — offers a promising foundation, but his 34 % three‑point clip shows he is still refining his perimeter game. He tested the NBA draft process with a workout for the Milwaukee Bucks before electing to join Michigan State for the chance to contend for a March Madness run.
Chasing a Final Four Dream
A scheduled showdown at the Moneyball Pro‑Am on July 14 was scrapped when the court turned slick, but both players used the setback as motivation, reiterating their shared ambition to help the Spartans reach the Final Four in Detroit.
Taylor, meanwhile, has been busy polishing his skill set and playing with a motor that coaches describe as relentless. He spent the last season at Link Academy in Missouri alongside fellow freshman Carlos Medlock Jr., a teammate who notes Taylor’s rapid growth since stepping onto the East Lansing campus.
Coach Tom Izzo has voiced confidence that the new interior pieces can sustain the program’s tradition of excellence, and the fan base is eager to see whether the incoming duo can fill the shoes of departed stalwarts.