Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo took responsibility for the departure of former five-star forward Xavier Booker, acknowledging his own failure in getting the best out of the talented player. Izzo expressed his love for Booker and admitted that he couldn't maximize his potential during his time at Michigan State. Despite Booker's strong work ethic as a student-athlete, he struggled to make a significant impact on the team, starting in only five of the 60 games he played and averaging 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game over two seasons.
Booker, a highly touted recruit in the 2022 class, failed to meet the high expectations placed on him when he arrived at Michigan State. Following his decision to enter the transfer portal, Booker transferred to UCLA, where he is expected to have a more prominent role in the upcoming season. Izzo's candid acknowledgment of his role in Booker's underwhelming performance highlights the challenges faced in developing top recruits and the complexities of college basketball dynamics.