He’s Back: No. 1 Player in America Commits to Michigan State Spartans Basketball Over Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Tech
In a stunning twist that’s electrified the college basketball world, the nation’s No. 1 high school recruit, Jalen “Jet” Rivers, has committed to the Michigan State Spartans, rejecting powerhouse offers from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Tech. The five-star guard, widely regarded as a generational talent, made the announcement in front of a packed gymnasium at his former middle school in Flint, Michigan — a symbolic homecoming that sent shockwaves through the NCAA landscape.
Dressed in Spartan green with his mother by his side, Rivers stood at the podium and uttered the words that Spartan fans had been dreaming of: “I’m staying home. I’m bringing a title back to Michigan State.”
Rivers, a 6-foot-5 combo guard with a wingspan that belies his age and a motor that never quits, has been the subject of heated recruiting battles since his freshman year. Known for his explosive first step, silky jumper, and relentless defense, he averaged 27.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 6.3 rebounds in his senior season at Montverde Academy. His ability to dominate on both ends of the court had scouts labeling him as the closest thing to a sure bet since Zion Williamson.
Tom Izzo, entering what many believe could be the twilight years of his legendary career, pulled off the recruiting coup of the decade. Sources close to the program reveal that Izzo and his staff began building a relationship with Rivers early — not just pitching facilities or NIL deals, but legacy. “Coach Izzo wasn’t selling me on fame,” Rivers said. “He talked about becoming a man, about banners, about what it means to wear green and white.”
Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech each brought aggressive pitches to the table, with Kansas banking on its blue-blood pedigree, Oklahoma touting early playing time, and Texas Tech emphasizing its NBA development pipeline. But none could match the emotional pull of East Lansing for Rivers, who grew up watching Mateen Cleaves, Denzel Valentine, and Draymond Green. “I remember being a kid, watching them make deep runs in March,” he said. “Now it’s my turn.”
Analysts believe Rivers instantly elevates Michigan State to Final Four contention. Paired with veteran leadership and a top-10 incoming class, the Spartans’ backcourt could become the most feared in the nation. NBA scouts have already tabbed him as a top-three pick in the 2026 draft.
But for now, Rivers is focused on one goal: hanging a championship banner in the Breslin Center. “This isn’t just about basketball,” he told reporters. “This is about coming home, about legacy, about finishing what so many before me started. Let’s get to work.”
The message is clear. He’s back. And the road to the 2026 Final Four might just run through East Lansing.
