Coen Carr eager to be an energy bringer as a freshman for Michigan State
East Lansing, Mich. – Coen Carr has yet to play a college game and is already considered a rival to two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson as the most athletic player of the Tom Izzo era at Michigan State. The challenge for the Spartans entering the 2023-2024 season will be best using Carr’s athleticism in pursuit of their championship goals.
“Where’s he going to play? I don’t know,” said Izzo of Carr, an Atlanta native who signed with the Spartans as a consensus Top 10 small forward and No. 23 overall prospect by On3. “I think he can play the perimeter. I think he can play inside. I think he can play all over. But a phenomenal athlete.”
As Michigan State works toward the exhibition season, with games against Hillsdale (Oct. 25) and Tennessee (Oct. 29) later this month, and the season opener against James Madison (Nov. 6) a short while later, Carr is determined to play role of energy bringer to the Spartan program.
“I’m excited, and this is what I’ve been waiting on,” said Carr. “I feel like me showing (athleticism) off is going to be great thing for the crowd, for our team, get us up and bring the energy. That’s the thing that I am most looking forward to.
“Just playing hard, giving effort, getting offensive rebounds, keeping possessions alive. I really feel like that is what I come in to do. Make energy plays for my team, whether it is dunks, blocks.”
Carr believes that he can put his athleticism to good use on the offensive glass.
“I feel like I am going to get a lot of offensive rebounds,” he said, “and keep possessions alive for our team. I feel like I can be a big part of that.”
In addition to being the most athletic player on the floor whenever he takes the court, Carr also has a knack for being in position to make plays.
“He is always in the right place at the right time, whether it’s on offense or defense,” said freshman point guard Jeremy Fears. “You can rely on Cohen to get you an offensive putback, get a rebound, cut back door, block a shot. Just be in a gap. He’s always in the right place at the time and that really helps.”
Carr brings multi-position versatility to Michigan State
Carr expects to log minutes at both the three and the four during his freshman season at Michigan State. At 6-foot-5, 220, he is smaller than teammates Malik Hall and Xavier Booker, who are also in line to play minutes at the four. The high-flying freshman could, however, potentially play valuable minutes at the four, especially against teams with smaller line-ups.
“Right now, I am playing at the three, the four,” Carr said. “I am playing wherever they tell me to play. It’s just seeing where I fit in and doing it to the best of my ability.”
The gains that Carr has made in the weight room since arriving on campus in May, should help him better handle the physicality of the game at the collegiate level.
“I came in here at 214 and I am at 221 right now,” Carr said. “That’s one of the biggest parts for me, especially since I am going to be guarding bigger players, inside too. Just really getting in the weight room and putting in the work, so I can carry it to the court.
“Especially from when I first got here in the summer until now, I definitely feel the difference.”
Carr wants to impact the game with his versatility, as Hall has done during his time at Michigan State.
“Me and him are kind of the same player,” Carr said. “We are versatile players. We can go inside and out. He has been teaching me a lot.”
Listening, Learning from J-Rich
Jason Richardson is one of the best two-foot jumpers in NBA history. Explosive athleticism alone, however, does not explain why he was able to play 14 NBA seasons, while averaging 17.1 points and 5.0 rebounds during his professional career.
From the time he set foot on the Michigan State campus as a McDonald’s All-American following his senior season at Saginaw Arthur Hill, Richardson worked hard to be become expand his all-around player. After winning a national championship as a freshman at Michigan State in 2000, Richardson showed tremendous gains with his perimeter jumper as a sophomore, and those improvements continued during his early days with the Golden State Warriors after being selected fifth overall in the 2001 NBA Draft.
One of dozens of former Michigan State players back on campus for Grind Week last month, Richardson spent some time talking to Carr about his own basketball journey during the early days of the Izzo era.
“It’s been good,” said Carr of the conversations he has had with Richardson. “It’s just been him telling me what I can do to get better, and be the best player that I can, whether it’s going for offensive rebounds, whether it’s shooting the ball, or playing defense. He’s just been telling me how I can better.”
Taking Richardson’s advice, Carr is determined to use each day as an opportunity for improvement. In practice he is focused on earning trust and learning everything he will need to make an impact as a freshman. And on his own, he has worked hard to address the perceived weakness in his game, his perimeter jumper.
“Everything from dribble pull-ups to catch-and-shoot threes, and mid-range,” said Carr, listing his priorities for improvement. “I’m just working out, expanding my game, and making sure that I can do everything on the court.”
Tangible evidence of improved shooting on the practice court has given Carr increased confidence in his jumper.
“Me being able to shoot more is going to give me more opportunities to get to the rim,” Carr said. “Just letting people know that I am a threat out there and can make shots.”
Carr believes his shooting is the most overlooked aspect of his game, and he is eager to show how much improvement he has made since arriving at Michigan State.
“I know and my teammates know how much work I’ve put in the gym to get my shot right, to get my shot more consistent,” Carr said. “That is something I am looking forward to for people to see.”
Shooting, however, is secondary to his primary role of being the sparkplug for Michigan State.
“It doesn’t matter how many minutes I play I just feel like I can come in and do whatever I need to do to help the team a lot this year,” Carr said.
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