Bulldogs Bring In Another Top-15 Basketball Class
STARKVILLE, Miss. (MSU Athletics) — Ben Howland has stuck to his mission of keeping recruiting at the top of his list since he started at Mississippi State.
On Wednesday, the second-year coach landed another stellar class, earning a No. 11 ranking according to several recruiting services with the signing of Nick Weatherspoon, KeyShawn Feazell and Garrison Brooks.
This time a year ago, the Bulldogs earned their highest ranking in school history at No. 4.
“We have three commitments that I am thrilled about,” said Howland, whose team opens play Friday at Humphrey Coliseum against Norfolk State in a 7 p.m. tip. “It’s an exciting day here at Mississippi State to have those three kids announce that they are going to be a part of our future and our program. I have a great staff and facilities, but the family atmosphere here is the one thing I talk about. I’ve been at some special institutions as a coach and this place has the feel of family, that is really special and unique.”
Nick Weathersoon
6-2 | 173 | G | Velma Jackson High School | Canton, MS
– 2015-16 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
– 2016-17 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
– First-Team All-State junior year
– Mississippi All-Star team for juniors
– Invited to Adidas nation in California two years in a row
– Ranked fourth in Mississippi in free throws made (183)
– MVP of the Rumble of the South
– Helped take his team to back-to-back state championships
– Averaged 22.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game in leading the Falcons to a Class 3A semifinal
– No. 1 recruit in Mississippi
– Rated as fifth-best point guard in the nation
– 4-star recruit
– Ranked as the 34th best overall player by ESPN
“Watching him a year ago, not this past summer but the summer before, he played out in Vegas and he was just phenomenal. He made his team so much better, and I was like wow, he’s the only player I have ever watched where he reminded me of Russel Westbrook. That is the ultimate compliment that I can pay a player, and it’s because of his motor. What makes Russell Westbrook special is what makes Nick special; competitive, toughness, desire to win and playing both ends of the floor. I can’t pay a young man a higher compliment.” – Ben Howland
Garrison Brooks
6-10 | 220 | F |Auburn High School | Auburn, AL
– As a junior averaged 15.9 points 11.4 rebounds per game to go along with his 2.6 blocks
– As a sophomore averaged 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game
– Had collegiate offers from 22 schools
– Holds the Auburn High School record for most career blocks at 253
– Played AAU for Team Carroll in Las Vegas
– Son of George Brooks, assistant coach at MSU
“It’s been a long, arduous recruiting effort. We’re just thankful that it is over now, and we’re excited about the future. Like I said, he’s a really talented young man with great skill level for having that size. He’s only 17. He’s going to be a very good player.” — Ben Howland.
KeyShawn Feazell
6-9 | 225 | F | Lawrence County High School | Monticello, MS
– 2015-16 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
– 2016-17 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
– 4-year varsity player
– Averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 rebounds and made 22 3-pointers as a junior
– MAC/Mississippi Sports Medicine All Star Classic (North vs South)
“Keyshawn Feazell, another local product from Mississippi down in Lawrence County, is going to be a very good player for us. He’s really a phenomenal athlete. His hands are the biggest hands I think of any player I have ever coached at 6’8.” — Ben Howland.
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