“I always believed that if I kept working, the results would come. You jump high enough, you start to believe you can fly.” — Vince Carter

Have you ever jumped so high you thought you could fly? The closest I’ve come was a trampoline launch or getting blasted off “the blob” at summer camp — both required a lot of help. Some people, though, don’t need help. They defy gravity. And one of those people is Coen Carr.

If you’re unfamiliar with Carr’s vertical, just open YouTube. You’ll see a player who soars through the air like he’s starring in Space Jam. The kid can fly.

But while Carr may out-jump anyone on God’s green earth, Tom Izzo needs more than highlight dunks this season. He needs Carr to evolve into a leader — someone who makes plays all over the floor. With the season tipping off in just 18 days, it’s the perfect time to get excited about what Carr can bring to this Michigan State team.

Izzo himself said it best:

“You fall in love with him with the fact he can jump over you. But that’s not why I fall in love with him. I think he’s worked his tail off.”

And that hard work is showing. Izzo has made it clear he expects big things from Carr, who enters this year stronger, more confident, and far more well-rounded than when he first arrived in East Lansing.

Most Spartan fans know Carr for his dunking — and rightfully so — but many are about to see a new side of his game: shooting. In 2024, Carr averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting 61.6% from the field and 33.3% from three. Those are solid sophomore numbers, but the expectations have risen. If Carr can bump that scoring average into the mid-teens and continue improving from deep, Michigan State’s offense will be in great shape.

That’s especially important this year, as MSU adjusts to losing several key shooters. Izzo’s squad will rely on a five-man shooting attack — and Carr’s ability to stretch the floor could be a difference-maker.

During Spartans Media Day, teammate Jaxon Koehler said:

“Honestly, it just makes us that much harder to guard when you know that you have five guys on the floor that can shoot it.”

Defensively, Carr’s growth is just as important. While his fouls increased last season, his defensive awareness and effort took a clear step forward. Izzo loves defense-first players, and continued improvement on that end will keep Carr on the floor in key moments.

The Spartans enter the season ranked No. 22 nationally, and while the loss of perimeter shooting is a concern, there’s also optimism — driven by the hard work of players like Carr. He’s the kind of athlete who can change a game with one leap, but if his offseason grind translates into consistent shooting and defense, he could change the season.

From “Lob City” highlight reel to well-rounded star — Coen Carr is ready to soar to new heights.