Matt McQuaid is a classic Tom Izzo player. Not widely regarded as a recruit, he was ranked the No. 69 player in the country in his draft class coming out of Duncanville, Texas. McQuaid could always shoot at an incredible level, but it was his effort and development as a ball-handler, passer, and defender that made him truly special.
I think Tom Izzo said it best:
“He’ll go down as one of the all-time great guys and hardest workers that I’ve ever coached.”
Tom Izzo loves to recruit guys like McQuaid. Under-recruited, he knew McQuaid wasn’t going to jump to the NBA in his Freshman or Sophomore year. Instead, he was a guy who Izzo could coach, and coach, and then coach some more. Eventually, he was a co-recipient of MSU’s Best Defensive Player Award in his Junior year, before being named a captain in this past season.
I think when the average fan remembers McQuaid, they will remember this dunk most of all, and rightfully so:
However, for me, I will always remember the press conference after the team’s loss to Texas Tech:
As a massive MSU fan and a giant fan of the NBA, I am unsure of what Matt McQuaid’s future will hold. He is not currently projected to be drafted, but I find it hard to believe that someone who can shoot, defend, pass, and handle the ball won’t get an opportunity at the next level.
No matter what happens, though, McQuaid will be forever immortalized in Spartans lore for being a quintessential Tom Izzo guy, and putting Javin DeLaurier, Duke Center, on a poster.
