Michigan State signees duel in 2023 McDonald's All-American Game

On3Noah

Michigan State signees Xavier Booker (6-11, 205, Indianapolis, Ind.) and Jeremy Fears (6-1, 165, Joliet, Ill.) faced-off in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday night in Houston. Booker, a five-star center, started for the East Team, while four-star point guard Fears Jr., who suited-up for the West Team, came off the bench.

Booker’s East Team came from behind to take down Fears Jr. and the West Team, 109-106.

The duo are the first to represent Michigan State the game since Max Christie in 2021. It is also the first time that Michigan State had two players named to event since Miles Bridges and Josh Langford made the 2016 rosters.

Neither Booker nor Fears did much to move the needle during the McDonald’s All-American Game, which isn’t altogether uncommon in showcase events. Booker scored three points and added three rebounds in this game, and at times looked frustrated he wasn’t getting the ball. Fears went scoreless for the West Team. To his credit, Fears still managed to tally four assists.

How Booker and Fears performed in the McDonald’s All-American Game is of far lesser significance than how they fit in the Michigan State program.

Those who have played with Fears routinely describe him as point guard that makes everyone around him better. He is a charismatic presence on the court, and a dynamic passer. Fears has all of the tools to be a special player at Michigan State. He has worked hard to improve his perimeter jumper during the past year, and has made progress toward that end. As he improves his perimeter jumper and gains strength in a college weight room, Fears will even tougher to keep out of the paint.

Booker has a high ceiling as a stretch four at Michigan State. He is athletic and skilled, and his upside as basketball player is the primary reason why he is ranked as highly as he is by most recruiting analysts. While his ceiling is sky high, Booker has work to do before he can make the type of impact at the college level that many fans assume will be a given based on his five-star status. Booker has five-star potential, and Tom Izzo will help him turn that potential into production if Booker embraces the process.

Back during the 2015-2016 season Michigan State had upperclassmen post players in the program in Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling. Those veteran centers helped ease the transition for McDonald’s All-American Deyonta Davis. The veterans on that basketball team, including Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes, looked out for Davis and wanted him to succeed.

Booker could potentially have a similar situation as a freshman if Malik Hall were to return for a final year of eligibility. Hall’s presence as a veteran four-man, capable of playing on the wing could help ease the transition for Booker and take some of the pressure off of him as a freshman.

(Paul Konyndyk contributed to this report.)

On3 High School Scouting Summary: Xavier Booker

Xavier Booker is a lengthy lefty who just moves in a way most his size does not. He has a lot of pop in his step and fluidity in his movements. While he is a more perimeter-based big right now, you see the ability to alter shots and the rim and rebound in traffic. He will need to get stronger and maybe pay more attention to the rebounding, but there is upside as a switchable type defender. Booker is a good spot shooter with consistent three-point range. He can push the break and has counters when he gets cut off, but he will need to work on not getting too deep with the ball. He runs the floor well. Strength will be a bit thing, will help with his stamina. There is immense upside here.