Miles Bridges, a potential lottery pick, has canceled his agent meetings and is supposedly leaning towards returning for his sophomore year. The former McDonald’s All-American was the lone bright spot in a tough season for the Spartans. With averages of 16.9 points, eight rebounds, and two assists per game, this would be huge for the Spartans. It would immediately vault the Spartans from a top 20 preseason team to a top three team, and possible preseason number one. Bridges was considered a one and done all year but the rumblings began of him possibly returning in early March. Bridges was just outside the top ten on most draft boards but was considered a likely lottery pick. This news could have multiple implications to college basketball next year, including the 2018 draft.
Sources: Michigan State’s Miles Bridges cancelled agent meetings, leaning heavily toward returning for sophomore year. Lottery pick talent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) April 12, 2017
Spartans Outlook
The Spartans have ranged anywhere from top 20 to inside the top 10 on most early preseason rankings. At this point, it is tough to tell which teams will truly look like with so many guys testing the waters for the NBA draft. If everyone returns for Louisville, especially Donovan Mitchell, they will be the clear cut number one team. Michigan State is right behind them with the possible return of Bridges, an All-Big 10 second team member.
Another year in school to grow next to that outstanding freshman class would make the Spartans the Big 10 favorites. Nick Ward was great as a freshman and will only continue to get in better shape and be a load down low. Tom Izzo has on more than one occasion said Cassius Winston is the best passer he’s ever recruited and coached. The Spartans also have two big time big men recruits in 6’11” Jaren Jackson and 6’9” Xavier Tillman. This year wasn’t a typical Tom Izzo team, as the team finished with 15 losses. They were also trounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Miami. Next year should be a much different story with the return of Bridges.
This year wasn’t a typical Tom Izzo team, as the team finished with 15 losses. They were also trounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Miami. Next year should be a much different story with the return of Bridges.
2018 Draft
The 2017 draft is loaded with studs, most of which are freshman which is a big reason Bridges was considered outside the top 10. With him heading to the 2018 draft, he is instantly in the top five. The 2018 draft will have some pretty good players but it will be nothing like this upcoming June in terms of the depth. Bridges will have the chance to improve his shooting over another year. Becoming better from three point range and the free throw line is a must for him. Bridges’ game is built off his excellent athleticism but he is sort of a tweener at his height. Another year to show he is someone who can play the three in the NBA will go along way towards improving that stock.
NPOY?
At this point, Bridges has to be the favorite to win National Player of the Year. Players of his stature don’t often return for another year so as of today, he is the leader. An under the radar senior may surprise us again after Buddy Hield and Frank Mason did so in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Grayson Allen has yet to declare and with a healthy season, he should be in the running. Expect Miles Bridges to pick up lots of hardware as a sophomore, including all-american and all-league honors.
