Five-star point guard Antonio Pemberton announced his commitment to Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, choosing head coach Tom Izzo’s program over seven other finalists. Ranked among the top players in the 2027 class, Pemberton became the Spartans’ first pledge for that cycle following an official visit to East Lansing.
Antonio Pemberton Chooses Michigan State Over Seven Finalists
Tom Izzo secured the first commitment for Michigan State’s 2027 recruiting class when five-star point guard Antonio Pemberton announced his decision on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. The announcement came live on CBS Sports, cementing a recruitment battle that saw the Spartans beat out a crowded field of major programs.
Pemberton narrowed his choices to a final eight that included Boston College, Creighton, Kansas, Marquette, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCLA, according to 247Sports. While official visits were also scheduled with other contenders, Pemberton completed trips to Creighton, Kansas, Tennessee, and ultimately East Lansing, where his recruitment crossed the finish line.
Grind Week Visit Seals the Deal in East Lansing
The decisive momentum behind the commitment arrived during the second weekend of September, when Pemberton visited campus for Michigan State’s annual Grind Week. The program reunion brings back former Spartans to practice alongside the current roster, creating an atmosphere that left an immediate impression on the visiting recruit.
“When I was there on grind week, the energy, the love, the community, even the coaching staff on and off the court, that’s what pushed me to commit and just the love from everybody at Michigan State was amazing.”
Antonio Pemberton, via CBS Sports
That campus experience prompted Pemberton to cancel remaining visits to Marquette and Ohio State, shutting down his recruitment immediately following the weekend.
Scouting Profile and New England Roots
Listed at 6-foot-1 and weighing between 165 and 180 pounds across various recruiting databases, Pemberton is a native of Methuen, Massachusetts, who plays at Masters Academy International. As a junior at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, he won Gatorade Player of the Year honors after averaging 16.8 points, five assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Steve Hewitt, editor of New England Basketball Journal, noted the guard’s offensive maturity: He’s one of the most mature scorers I’ve seen in New England with his ability to get to his spots, and he thrives in the mid-range.
Pemberton also leaned on a familiar face during his decision-making process: Michigan State guard Kur Teng, a fellow New Hampshire product entering his third season with the Spartans and a former teammate at Brewster Academy. Pemberton consulted Teng about academics, team dynamics, and Izzo’s coaching style before finalizing his choice.
Shaping the Future Backcourt Under Izzo
The addition of Pemberton continues a strong recruiting trajectory for Izzo, who enters his 32nd season leading the program. It also builds on recent success against high-spending competitors like Tennessee, marking Michigan State’s third recruiting win over the Volunteers following commitments from Jasiah Jervis and Coen Carr.
Looking ahead to the 2027-28 season, Pemberton joins a backcourt pipeline that includes younger guards such as Carlos Medlock Jr. While current junior Jeremy Fears Jr. returned to East Lansing for the 2026-27 season after testing the NBA draft process, analysts note that the program is positioning its roster for the post-Fears era.
“You’re going to get a motor guard for sure, a dog, someone that just loves the game and someone who just wants to win every single day.”
Antonio Pemberton
