This guy can flat out score.
He's a guard with the greatest combination of shooting and athleticism MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo has recruited during his tenure in East Lansing.
He's also the first Izzo recruit from the Detroit Public School League to wear the "State" script across his chest.
MSU sophomore guard Maurice Ager has taken the expectations of his head coach and exceeded them. Ager's prowess was evident in last weekend's Green and White game as he led all scorers with 34 points.
"If I were to tell you the truth, he's better than I expected when I recruited him," Izzo said.
Ager has played so well that the Spartans' head man compares Ager's game to ex-MSU All-American guard Sam Vincent - who places sixth all-time in scoring - and has compared his inside athleticism coupled with long-range ability to former MSU All-Americans Morris Peterson and Jason Richardson.
"J.R. was probably still a little better athlete, not a lot better, but a little bit better," Izzo said. "But athlete-shooter, I don't think there's any question he's the best of anybody."
Last season, injuries hobbled the 6-foot-4 guard throughout most of the year, but the NCAA Tournament became his stage. Opponents quickly knew Ager's shooting moxie, as NBA-plus-range jumpers became a mainstay in his tournament display. The knack to find the basket from any range led to Ager's team-tying best 11.0 points per-game average in the Spartans' Elite Eight run.
"He doesn't have much of a conscience," MSU junior guard Chris Hill said of Ager's shooting prowess. "Mo has never seen a bad shot, which is good."
Ager's game expects to stay true to form, but Izzo has looked for a few changes in his play. For example, Izzo has asked Ager to improve his passing ability, defense and strength.
"He hasn't progressed as much offensively, because he was already pretty good," Izzo said. "But defensively, he's made giant strides. And his strength - you know he's become a better rebounder, he's just a lot stronger. He's 18 pounds heavier than when he walked into this place. That has really helped him."
When Ager left Detroit Crockett last summer for campus, many compared his game to current Seattle Supersonics guard Ray Allen, who achieved NCAA success at UConn with his abilities to hit shots consistently behind the arch and take his defender off the dribble for explosive inside moves.
Allen comparisons aside, Ager said his favorite player is Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson. It's possible Ager has seen one too many Iverson games, as he, like Iverson, enjoys to score in bundles.
"Right now, he's playing possessed," Izzo said.
