Michigan State lands impact scorer, All-Summit contributor via transfer portal
Michigan State is looking to get back to its strong regular season performances under Tom Izzo. To get there, the Spartans have looked to the transfer portal for a key reinforcement.
On Tuesday, 6-foot-7 forward Frankie Fidler confirmed his commitment to play for Michigan State. Fidler is an All-Summit performer from Nebraska Omaha and a veteran scorer.
Spartyyyyy let’s do itt!!! pic.twitter.com/7eB5Qb2f82
— Frankie Fidler (@FrankieFidler_) April 23, 2024
BANG. MSU lands their guy in Frankie Fidler.
20.1 PTS, 6.3 REB, 2.6 AST w/ a 59.5 TS%.
Top ten in the nation in offensive win shares + free throws made.
Absolutely massive get for Tom Izzo. pic.twitter.com/QwrNHzBnZU
— 🍑 is trying his best (@msupeach) April 23, 2024
As a junior, Fidler averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 45% from the floor and 35.6% from 3-point range. His scoring skill set should be translateable after scoring 20 points in a road loss vs. TCU last season and 30+ points 4 times.
A true veteran, Fidler has 91 career starts across his first 3 seasons at the college level. He should be an immediate plug-and-play option on the wing for Izzo’s group.
Impact of adding Fidler
Last offseason, Izzo made the decision to stand pat, not adding any pieces from the portal with a key group returning. Unfortunately, that key group and a strong incoming freshman class underwhelmed during the regular season and fell short of making a major impact in March Madness.
This time around, the Spartans are being more active in finding a potential difference-maker in the transfer portal. Even coming from a smaller program, Fidler should fit that bill.
This past season, a pair of former Southern Illinois stars made major impacts in the Big Ten with Lance Jones (Purdue) and Marcus Domask (Illinois) shining. Michigan State will be looking to Fidler for a similar impact this season.