By JAMES MADDEN
Michigan State added to its 2026 recruiting class, landing a commitment from four-star 7-foot-1 center Ethan Taylor on Friday. A senior at Link Academy (MO) – Taylor was a standout for Mokan Elite on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer, averaging 9.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Originally from the Kansas City area, he chose the Spartans over Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Oregon.
“I think it was a pretty easy choice. Coach (Tom) Izzo was very hard on me throughout the recruiting process. He recruited me very hard,” Taylor said on CBS Sports’ livestream. “The fan base was just insane. On my visit, I was hearing chants and crowd surfing. It was crazy.”
Taylor has been focused on finding a program with a history of developing big men and also one with a family-oriented environment, he told ZAGSBLOG in April.
Possessing a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Taylor is one of the best shot blockers in his class and has all the physical tools to be a difference maker in the paint right away at the next level. Being widely considered one of the best dunkers in the nation, Taylor has also been described as a player that “may be the most physically gifted big man in the class.”
Taylor’s commitment comes eight days after the Spartans landed Jasiah Jervis, who also officially signed with the program Thursday.
He is Michigan State’s fourth commit in the class of 2026, joining Jervis, Julius Avent and Taylor’s teammate at Link Academy, Carlos Medlock Jr.
Taylor is ranked as the No. 27 player nationally and the No. 2 recruit in the state of Missouri, according to 247Sports.
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