Michigan State basketball target Niko Bundalo plans official visit

Five-star forward Niko Bundalo, one of the top 2025 basketball prospects and a huge target for Tom Izzo and Michigan State, will arrive in East Lansing this fall.

Bundalo has scheduled an official visit for the weekend of Sept. 6, according to Travis Branham of 247Sports. Bundalo recently helped Western Reserve Academy win a prep national championship. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, the 6-foot-9 forward is the No. 8 power forward in the class and the No. 24 player nationally.

Bundalo could be a great deal for Izzo, especially with time ticking away for a potential second national title that the Hall-of-Fame coach covets.

I recently spoke with Bundalo while he was training at the Meyer Institute for Sport. I asked him what he thought he did best on the field.

“I can handle the ball, I can shoot. I can rebound, I can push the ball up the field. I can pass the ball. I can defend, I can block shots. I think my ability to impact the game in multiple ways is my strength,” Bundalo told me.

What sets Bundalo apart from others is his enthusiasm and work ethic to be the best. Bundalo told me he shares the same mentality as his basketball hero, Kobe Bryant.

“I know it might be crazy to say this at 17 years old… but I’m working to become the best basketball player to ever touch the ball,” Bundalo said. “For me, it’s not about going to the NBA, I want to end up as the best basketball player to ever play the game. So I hold myself to that standard. You think about guys, all the greats of all time, all that stuff is great man, pressure makes diamonds go up… I can’t let it get to me, I won’t let it get to me. This is what I’ve wanted my whole life. I don’t care what the prize is. I don’t care if I have to give up. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Branham wrote that Bundalo is “a talented forward with size, tenacity and competitiveness who can be used in a variety of ways on offense with his ease shooting the ball and attacking off the dribble.”

Bundalo’s arrival would be a major boost for Izzo, who has recently had a busy recruiting season. With the roster Izzo is building, Bundalo could be the key piece in elevating Izzo to the heights he wants to reach once again. The official visit could be a big break for the Spartans.

Michael France is the Michigan State recruiting editor for Sports Illustrated. He covers all things Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation. Be sure to follow him on Twitter/X@michaelfrancesi for exclusive coverage of Spartans recruiting.

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