Tom Izzo reflects on Tyson Walker's evolution as a scorer

Michigan State fans and head coach Tom Izzo are thankful to have Tyson Walker this season, because he has absolutely carried the Spartans to a couple of their wins on the offensive side of the ball.

In a season where the MSU program has cratered on the court thus far, Walker has taken a great leap forward as a player. He’s averaging 20 points a game, doubling every other player on the team, while also serving as really the only consistent shooter or scorer in general. After averages of eight points a game in 2022 and then 14.8 points per game in 2023, Walker’s taken another huge step up.

After the Spartans’ latest win over Oakland, Tom Izzo was asked about his point guard’s development into a go-to scorer at the Big Ten level. Before answering the question directly, Izzo gave a little backstory on what Walker’s father once told him to expect of his son.

“I remember sitting at breakfast with his dad, and his dad said ‘He can score it, he can guard it, and one thing he’s gonna do is he’s gonna do what you tell him.’ He says ‘Don’t check his apartment, make sure his bed is made. It’ll be made. Don’t go pick him up for class, he’ll get to class.’”

Sounds like Walker came into Michigan State as a rather mature player, at least per his own dad. “Kind of funny, but I’m serious, that’s what he said to me,” Izzo added. “And we kind of fell in love with him right then.”

Three years later, Walker is no longer just a rotation piece in East Lansing; he’s the star of the show. So now, when Michigan State gets locked into contested battle, Izzo is calling on Walker to come through for them.

“That is the way he’s been. He does his job. If I have a negative, and I tell him it every day, I told him the second half, ‘You gotta take over. You gotta talk to people more. You gotta help me help us help you.’ I think that’s his last kind of situation he’s gotta get better at.”

Walker has certainly showcased that takeover mentality more as the season goes on. Meanwhile, he’s able to impose himself on the game more this season because he’s a much improved all-around player, according to Tom Izzo.

“He’s a good defender. He got stronger this summer. He’s a good shooter. He’s gotten better with the ball. He’s become a much better passer – he’s throwing lobs now and things. I’m just happy for him. It’s nice to see a guy live his dream like he said after that Duke game, and now continue to get better.”

Let’s see if the rest of the Spartans can elevate to his level at some point this season.