BREAKING: FIVE-STAR FORWARD  COMMITS TO MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS OVER DUKE, KANSAS, AND UCONN — STATES TWO REASONS FOR CHOOSING SPARTY….DETAILS BELOW….

East Lansing just got a whole lot louder. In a huge recruiting victory that has sent shockwaves through college basketball, five-star forward Darius Matthews announced his commitment to Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans, choosing MSU over blue-blood programs like Duke, Kansas, and UConn.

Matthews, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound force out of Prolific Prep in California, is considered the top power forward and the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2025 class. With elite athleticism, a polished offensive game, and the ability to guard all five positions, he is widely projected to be a one-and-done NBA lottery pick.

At a live televised ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Matthews pulled out a green Michigan State hat, looked into the camera, and smiled.

“Coach Izzo’s energy and the Spartan family made this feel like the right place,” he said. “I want to win big — and do it the Spartan way.”

Matthews becomes the highest-ranked player to commit to Michigan State since Jaren Jackson Jr., and his pledge gives the Spartans a foundational piece in what’s shaping up to be one of the best recruiting classes in the country.

“Darius is a game-changer,” said Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo. “He’s tough, he’s talented, and he cares about getting better. This isn’t just a great player we’re bringing in — it’s a great young man who’s ready to be part of something bigger than himself.”

Matthews averaged 22.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game last season at Prolific Prep and was dominant in every major showcase he played in. Known for his rim-running, shot-blocking, and expanding perimeter skills, he’s already drawing comparisons to past Spartan greats like Draymond Green and Miles Bridges, but with an even higher ceiling.

The commitment comes at a crucial time for Michigan State, which is reloading after several upperclassmen declared for the draft. With Matthews now in the fold, the Spartans are back in national title conversations — not just for the future, but for the very next March Madness.

Matthews said his two reasons for committing were trust in Tom Izzo’s development and the tight-knit team culture in East Lansing. “It’s not just about basketball,” he added. “They care about you as a person, and they push you to be great every day.”

Social media exploded moments after the announcement, with hashtags like #SpartanDarius, #IzzoGetsHisGuy, and #GreenMachine trending in Michigan and across national college hoops circles.

Matthews plans to enroll early in the summer of 2025 and will likely be a Day 1 starter. Fans are already dreaming of packed Breslin Center nights with Matthews powering highlight plays and clutch performances.

“This is home now,” he said. “And I’m bringing fire to East Lansing. Let’s chase a championship.”