Three days after Indianapolis forward Delco Rowley verbally committed to MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo, Detroit Crockett High School shooting guard Maurice Ager decided to become the third member of Spartans’ 2002 recruiting class.

“It came down to a family choice,” the senior-to-be and Mr. Basketball candidate said. “We decided it was a great fit for me.”

Ager’s choice to attend MSU is surprising, seeing as it was strongly rumored he was planning to commit to Missouri at his Thursday afternoon press conference. Other schools in contention for the guard were Marquette, Connecticut and Michigan.

Last season, Ager averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists in leading Detroit Crockett to the Michigan Class B state title.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound Ager has the ability to play both the point and shooting guard positions. He has strong moves in the lane as a slashing guard, but he said his biggest asset might be his mid-range shot.

Some experts have compared Ager to Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Ray Allen.

“I’ve been compared to Ray Allen a lot,” Ager said. “People say the way I play (is reminiscent of him).”

Ager looks to use his time in East Lansing to grow as a basketball player. Like most young athletes, he wants to move on to the next level. When talking with coach Izzo, Ager said he felt re-assured that coming to MSU would help him fulfill his basketball dreams.

“(Izzo told me to) come in and be a great guard,” Ager said. “Play and get to the next level.”