Center Anton Bonke commits to Michigan State, remains in NBA Draft process
Anton Bonke committed to Michigan State as a transfer portal center, but he's testing the NBA Draft waters much like point guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
East Lansing — Michigan State got its center out of the transfer portal, and he's a big one. Anton Bonke committed to Michigan State on Wednesday, his agent Scott Nichols confirmed to The Detroit News. Bonke brings a lot of size, stepping into Breslin Center at 7-foot-2 and 270 pounds.
Bonke broke out last season at Charlotte with 10. 6 points and 8. 3 rebounds per game while shooting 13-for-38 on 3-pointers.
Bonke is currently testing the NBA Draft waters while retaining his NCAA eligibility, the same as Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Nichols said his client is "excited to be a part of the Spartans" but is "focused 100%" on the NBA Draft for now. Bonke fills an immediate need at center, where incoming freshman Ethan Taylor was the only true center on scholarship, though forward Jesse McCulloch played there in parts of 28 games (7.
4 minutes per game) last season in a run to the Sweet 16. The Spartans lost two pillars of the frontcourt in stretch four Jaxon Kohler and center Carson Cooper to graduation. While Bonke brings a lot of size, he also brings experience.