Fresh off a gold medal and top-10 recruiting buzz, Tom Izzo’s newest Spartans hit the hardwood in East Lansing sporting fresh threads and iconic jersey digits.
The Spartans didn't make the biggest splash in the transfer portal this offseason, most likely due to the abundance of talent already joining the program as freshmen.
Tom Izzo's top-10 recruiting class arrives in East Lansing alongside a talented returning core, creating a roster that has all the pieces to become a force to be reckoned with next season.
One of the most fun parts of welcoming new players — whether they're freshmen or transfer additions like Anton Bonke — is finding out what jersey numbers they'll wear in the Green and White.
Thanks to recent social media posts from the Michigan State basketball program, it appears we may have our first look at the numbers for all of the incoming players.
Keep in mind that these are not official announcements. However, these are the numbers the players have been wearing in publicly released team content.
So, let's take a look at the jersey numbers currently being worn by Michigan State's newcomers as they round out the roster for the upcoming season.
The four freshmen appear to have claimed the four lowest available numbers, while Bonke rounds out the group with the highest number.
Julius Avent — No. 0
It didn't take long for No. 0 to find a new home.
After spending the last four years on the chest of one of the most beloved Spartans in recent memory, Jaxon Kohler, it will certainly feel a little strange seeing someone else wearing it. But that's sports.
As much as Spartan fans loved Kohler and won't soon forget his passionate screams and emotional play style, the past is the past and the future is now. Avent appears set to don No. 0 and, in time, will hopefully make as big of an impact for Izzo as Kohler did throughout his career.
Carlos Medlock Jr. — No. 7
The perfect number for the incoming freshman.
Why is it perfect? Because it's his number, and whatever number Medlock chose was always going to fit him perfectly.
Medlock doesn't seem like the type of player who would be afraid to wear any number, and he'll likely wear No. 7 with plenty of pride. There isn't much history behind the number at Michigan State, as digits above five weren't allowed until the 2023-24 season. Gehrig Normand remains the only Spartan to have worn No. 7.
Ethan Taylor — No. 10
The towering skyscraper will certainly stretch out the numbers one and zero on the front of his jersey.
The number seems like a perfect fit for the 36th-ranked player in ESPN's Top 100 rankings for the 2026 class. Taylor recently helped Team USA capture gold alongside fellow Spartan freshman Jasiah Jervis and enters East Lansing with plenty of momentum.
Michigan State fans are hoping his impact on the court ends up being just as big as his frame.
Jasiah Jervis — No. 25
The 26th-ranked player in ESPN's Top 100 rankings appears set to wear No. 25.
The incoming freshman is expected to contribute immediately for the Spartans in a major way. Whether that's as a starter or as a player logging significant minutes off the bench, Jervis is widely viewed as Michigan State's most college-ready freshman.
He'll look to become an instant contributor while making No. 25 one of the more recognizable jerseys on the roster.
Anton Bonke — No. 34
The Spartans' lone transfer addition appears to be headed for No. 34.
After wearing No. 5 at Providence and No. 49 at Charlotte, Bonke will continue his trend of wearing somewhat uncommon jersey numbers. There's something about No. 34 that looks a little odd on a basketball jersey — but in a good way.
If Bonke delivers the impact many expect him to, don't be surprised if No. 34 jerseys start flying off the shelves by Christmas.
The Spartans are beginning to reunite in East Lansing as preparations for the upcoming season ramp up. While jersey numbers may seem like a small detail, they are another sign that Michigan State basketball is one step closer to becoming a well-oiled machine ahead of what should be an exciting 2026-27 campaign.
