Michigan State basketball reportedly showing interest in a European point guard
Michigan State basketball reportedly showing interest in a European point guard Noam Yaacov could be the perfect addition for the backup PG role
Michigan State basketball has one more void left on their roster ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, needing to fill a chunk of minutes in the backup point guard role, while also needing to potentially squeeze some minutes out at the shooting guard spot.
While this is Jeremy Fears Jr.'s team, and he will be the primary focus at point guard, he cannot play all 40 minutes, and even deeper, foul trouble and potential injury is something that needs to be considered. As of now, there is not a backup ball handler on the roster, meaning Tom Izzo is forced to make one more addition this offseason.
Spartans Wire broke down six potential candidates for the backup point guard role
While the Spartans are perusing the transfer portal for candidates at the position, a new intriguing option via the European route has emerged for MSU.
Several in the Michigan State media sphere, including Sleepers Media and Matt Sheehan of LockedOn Spartans, have mentioned that the Spartans are inquiring about Noam Yaacov, a 6-foot-1 point guard that plays in the Israeli Premier League.
Originally from Denmark, and of Israeli descent, Yaacov is 20-years-old and has made his rounds around European pro basketball in his young career. Currently, a member of Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he plays with former Spartan Marcus Bingham Jr., Yaacov fills the hole the Spartans possess.
Most notably, Yaacov excelled in his time with ASVEL Basket of the LNB Pro A, a French Professional League, averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 31.0 minutes per game.
Playing for Israel in the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship, he averaged 19.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in seven games of action. He followed that performance up with a 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship. He was selected to the all-tournament teams in both tournaments.
Ultimately, Yaacov has the perfect blend of scoring prowess, while being able to run an offense. Further, he would put pressure on Fears to elevate his game, with a capable replacement sitting right behind him. But also, Yaacov could slide in at the two right next to Fears, giving the Spartans a spicy backcourt dynamic.
While further information is hard to come by in European recruitments, the confirmation that MSU has at least inquired about the prospect makes it an intriguing option to think about, and would be the perfect final addition to the Spartans roster.
Stay tuned for any further developments with Yaacov and the Spartans moving forward.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
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