Frankie Fidler says he’s ‘perfect fit’ for Michigan State basketball

Holt — Frankie Fidler thought he had made up his mind on where he wanted to transfer this offseason. Then Michigan State called.

A visit to East Lansing this spring changed everything.

Fidler, one of the top wings in the portal this cycle, was enamored as he toured Michigan State’s facilities. Seeing the names plastered on the walls of former Spartans who’ve gone on to play in the NBA. Above the stairs that lead down to the practice gym from the coaching staff’s office is a collage of all the Michigan State alums who’ve won in the NBA.

Fidler wanted to finish out his college career playing at the highest level after spending his first three seasons at University of Nebraska Omaha. He wanted to go to a place that has a legitimate shot at contending for conference titles and making deep NCAA Tournament runs.

“When you think about Michigan State, you think about all the championships they won, the Final Fours, so it really is the highest level,” Fidler said last month on the opening night of Moneyball Pro-Am at Holt High School. “I wanted to challenge myself to play at such a big school and then playing for someone like Coach (Tom) Izzo — not many people get to play for someone like that.”

It helps, too, that Fidler’s mother, Sandy, also fell in love with East Lansing’s charm. That made the decision to go to Michigan State over Creighton and Nebraska — two schools within driving distance of his childhood home — a little easier.

For the Spartans, Fidler’s addition addresses a glaring need for a skilled, sizable wing. The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Fidler starred last season with the Mavericks, averaging 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He thrives in transition, can create on the drive and finish through contact. He’s a solid defender, too, but the other aspect of his game that might serve Michigan State well is his ability to get to the free-throw line and take advantage of those opportunities as a career 85.9% free-throw shooter.

“A big thing that I want to bring to the team is wing shooting and just length on the perimeter,” Fidler said. “Being 6-7, defense and offense is going to be good for us as a team and I think just taking it up a notch from last year. Showing that what I did last year, I can do at the biggest stage as well.”

When Fidler was on his official visit, he went over film with some of the staff that showed him how they think he would fit in Michigan State’s offense.

“I thought it was a perfect fit, Fidler said, “and ultimately that’s why I came here.”

Fidler isn’t oblivious to how rare of an opportunity this is for an upperclassman to join Izzo’s team. Michigan State traditionally hasn’t been one to utilize the portal, even when restrictions were softened a few seasons ago.

Fidler is the first transfer pickup for the Spartans since Tyson Walker in 2021. Michigan State also added Polish big Szymon Zapala from Longwood.

“It was an honor really that they chose me to go after in the transfer portal,” Fidler said. “I was really picky about the school and I wanted to see past transfers and everything. So we went through it all, and it was a perfect fit.”

Fidler moved to East Lansing at the end of May and has already started the process of getting to know his new teammates and coaches.

That part of the transition has been “easy,” he said. But he knows that the competition, speed and physicality of Big Ten basketball will be a major jump from the Summit League. That said, Tre Holloman doesn’t think that will faze Fidler.

“Frankie is tough,” the Michigan State guard said. “Frankie can shoot it, he can post up, he can dribble, he has good size, so I think he will be good for us. …When I (saw) him work out, I was like, ‘Oh, this man has a motor and he can shoot it well.’”

Fidler alone won’t snap the Spartans out of their funk after a disappointing season. But he certainly will help them.

“The winning culture here is noticeable and that’s what Coach Izzo does. “He wins,” Fidler said, “and so that’s what this team wants to do this year is win championships.”

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