Michigan State basketball lands commitment from 'high-motor' 5-star center Enoch Boakye

Michigan State has made several huge splashes on the recruiting trail this summer.

The Spartans made another big one on Tuesday when they received a commitment from Enoch Boakye, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound big man from Mississauga, Ontario, who is one of the top centers in the 2022 class.

"I don't even know what to say. I'm just honored to be able to have an opportunity to go to such an amazing school,” Boakye said during his commitment announcement.

Boakye is rated a five-star prospect by 247Sports and is ranked the top prospect in Canada, the No. 18 overall recruit and third-best center in 2022. He’s rated a four-star recruit by Rivals but isn’t ranked by the recruiting site since he doesn’t play in the United States.

Boakye averaged 13 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks per game during his sophomore season at George Harris Prep. At last year’s FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Brazil, he averaged 8.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game for runner-up Team Canada.

"I’m a high-motor guy,” Boakye said. “I’m somebody who is going to come in and rebound, block shots, save possessions and do whatever it takes to win.”

More: MSU target Enoch Boakye could bring 'underdog' mentality to Spartans

Boakye chose Michigan State over offers from Arizona, Gonzaga, Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UCLA and West Virginia, among others. He said the amount of time and effort coach Tom Izzo spent recruiting him set the Spartans apart from the rest.

"The fact that (Izzo) flew to Canada quite a few times to watch me play, even in a practice setting, that meant a lot,” Boakye said. “And he's a head coach. Usually it’s the assistant coaches coming to see you play. But as a head coach he took time to come see me and that meant a lot to me."

There’s a possibility Boakye could reclassify to the 2021 class. According to his high school coach George Aramide, Boakye might have enough credits to graduate early but the plan is to remain in the 2022 class for now.

Aramide added Boakye has his sights set on playing in college instead of bypassing it to pursue a professional route.

“He wants to go to college and prove that he's one of the best,” Aramide told The Detroit News last week. “I think he feels like college would be a great platform to show the world that he is probably one of the best bigs in the United States.”

Boakye’s announcement marks Michigan State’s third commitment from a five-star recruit in the past month. He joins Ypsilanti phenom Emoni Bates, who is widely considered the top-rated player in the nation, in the 2022 class. It’s also possible Bates could reclassify up to the 2021 class.

“Emoni is such a great player,” Boakye said. “He’s phenomenal, super talented, but him committing didn't really have anything to do with me committing early. I believe that me and him coming in together, we can definitely win a national championship and bring it home.”

The Spartans also landed a pledge from Max Christie, a top-15 prospect and the top-ranked shooting guard in the 2021 class, during their summer run of five-star talent.

Star power

2021 recruiting class

►Max Christie, Rolling Meadows (Illinois), SG, 6-foot-6, 165 pounds, five stars, No. 13 national ranking

►Pierre Brooks II, Detroit Frederick Douglass, SG, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, four stars, No. 68 national ranking

2022 recruiting class

►Emoni Bates, Ypsilanti Lincoln*, SF, 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, five stars, No. 1 national ranking

►Enoch Boakye, George Harris Prep (Ontario), C, 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, five stars (by 247Sports), No. 18 national ranking

*Plans to attend Ypsilanti Prep Academy in 2020-21

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @jamesbhawkins