Tom Izzo describes Tyson Walker's value to this Michigan State team

Tom Izzo knows Tyson Walker is very valuable to the Michigan State basketball program. A long collegiate journey, Walker is making the most of his fifth year in basketball and second with the Spartans.

In the win over Oakland, Walker put up 14 points, two rebounds and five assists over the course of 32 minutes. Izzo loves how humble Walker is and the willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

Walker’s performance aided Michigan State to its sixth win this year.

“You know, he’s a little over two years here, I mean, that’s getting there pretty quick,” Izzo said. “It’s a treat, though, to have a kid who hardly got a shot early. Didn’t let it get to him. Didn’t bother him at halftime. Second half, we told him we gotta go do more. We set up that first play for him. He did a great job running it and once he started hitting some shots then he was harder to guard and he has been everything and more than I thought. (Tyson), defensively ever since the injury in the illness, he’s been a lot better defensively … 

“(He’s a) special guy you know, reminds me of Gary Harris back in the day and plays both ends hard as hell and we even need him more than we did Gary offensively. So hats off to Tyson, proud of him, happy for him and I think all the players were in yet he was pretty humble in the locker room.”

In the 10 games leading up to Monday, Walker averaged 20.1 points per game, three rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, shot 52% from the field and shot 38.5% from beyond the arc.

Walker began his career at Northeastern and transferred into the program ahead of the 2021-22 season.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Walker was not ranked according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“I think that’s the cool part about Tyson, you know, he doesn’t have to take 20 shots very game,” Izzo said. “Doesn’t have to take 18. In fact, what’s really cool, really, really cool, Tyson had five assists and zero turnovers. 

“There was a time I used to tell him in practice, man you know, throw it to somebody so you can get an assist, make it your first one at Michigan State. You know, that was probably in the last year. But I just love his demeanor and I love the fact that he wants the best players defensively.”