About eight hours before his team kicked off its 2006-07 season, head coach Tom Izzo was busy introducing one of the most touted recruiting classes of his tenure.
Guards Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers and Chris Allen, who signed letters of intent Wednesday, make up a three-guard class that's ranked No. 5 in the nation by Scout.com.
All three guards are also ranked in the top 30 of Scout.com's 2007 recruiting class.
"As far as notoriety, this is probably the highest threesome we've ever had," Izzo said. "I don't see where I could've signed three better players for our situation."
After reaching the Final Four three straight years from 1999-2001, the Spartans have made it out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament just twice in the last five years. Izzo hopes this recruiting class — which will join a team that loses no scholarship players for next season — can help change that.
"I recruited them to get back to the Final Four," Izzo said. "I recruited them to hang another banner."
Kalin Lucas
Height: 6 feet
Weight: 165 pounds
High school: Orchard Lake St. Mary's
Scout.com ranking: 30
Lucas averaged more than 25 points and around six assists a game as a junior while leading his team to the state semifinals. He's known for using his quickness and aggressive style to penetrate defenses and create for his teammates. Many analysts say Lucas reminds them of New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, last year's NBA Rookie of the Year.
Izzo on Lucas: "He'll be the quarterback of the future."
Scout.com national recruiting analyst Dave Telep: "To (Lucas') credit, he realizes the kind of player Chris Paul is, and that's what he aspires to do. To the way he adjusts his shorts to how he kind of carries himself on the court, you can tell he spent a lot of time molding his game in that direction."
Izzo's comparison: Former MSU point guard Marcus Taylor, who was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection before being taken in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft
Durrell Summers
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
High school: Redford Covenant Christian
Scout.com ranking: 19
Summers dominated Class D competition as a junior, pouring in 28 points and 13.5 rebounds a game on his way to being named The Associated Press Class D Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Summers earned second-team All-State honors while playing at Detroit DePorres High School, which is now closed. He and Lucas also play on the same AAU team.
Izzo on Summers: "He has improved his ball handling and outside shooting … and that's going to take his game to a whole 'nother level."
Telep: "He can really score. He's a guy that makes a killing on the baseline — he has a jump shot, he has a good deke and he goes off the dribble. He's just a well-rounded wing player."
Izzo's comparison: Former MSU guard and current Golden State Warrior Jason Richardson
Chris Allen
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 190 pounds
High school: Lawrenceville (Ga.) Meadowcreek
Scout.com ranking: 29
Allen is the lone recruit from outside Michigan. He was a First-Team All-State selection last season after averaging 26.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per game and leading his team to its first region championship in school history. He also was a member of the USA Men's U18 National Team last summer.
Despite being from Georgia, Allen is familiar with the Lansing area. He has an aunt and uncle who live in the city, and he's been visiting them since he was a child, Izzo said.
Izzo on Allen: "He is a much better athlete than we initially thought. He was also a very good recruiter with some leadership skills. He's got a quiet confidence, but he's talkative and passionate when selling MSU. That will be an asset in the years to come."
Telep: "The strength of Chris Allen is the ability to go on constant attack mode and put pressure on defenses."
Izzo's comparison: Former Spartan Shawn Respert, the school's all-time leading scorer and three-point shooter
