STARKVILLE — Mississippi State head men’s basketball coach Ben Howland knows he has plenty to replace.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, he referred to the now departed Lamar Peters, Aric Holman and Quinndary Weatherspoon who are all off to the NBA.
In their place, MSU brings in a four-man recruiting class — from which Howland is already reaping the benefits.
Highlighting the group is four-star forward Elias King. At 6-foot-7, 204 pounds, King is a logical backup to sophomore Robert Woodard II on the wing. He also offers shooting upside MSU will lack sans Holman.
“Elias is a very talented scorer, shooter, has length, can really shoot the three, a very nice passer and can handle the ball well,” Howland said earlier this offseason. “He has a lot of talent, a lot of mobility and combined with length, he’s a kid that I really think can be something special given time especially as he gets stronger.”
Howland also pointed to incoming shooting guard Iverson Molinar and the immediate impact he has made. A three-star recruit out of Garden Grove, California, Molinar averaged 21.5 points, six rebounds and 5.5 assists per game his senior season. Athletically, Howland has said he is the most physically ready freshman of the class.
“Iverson has looked very explosive, athletic and tough in practice,” Howland said. “He is going to be a really good player.”
Alongside Molinar and King, Devin Butts rounds out the freshman contingent currently on campus. Butts is a 6-foot-5 combo-guard that will offer MSU some shooting upside at the No. 1 or 2 position.
Currently he is battling a sprained ankle that coaches and trainers initially feared was significant. Howland said Tuesday it is not a long-term injury.
Rounding out the foursome is recently signed Quinten Post. Perhaps the most intriguing piece in the Bulldogs’ 2019 class, Post is a 7-foot center from the Netherlands.
A late addition to the group, he was seen as a potential replacement for sophomore forward Reggie Perry if he had remained in the NBA Draft. With Perry now returning, Post will add front court depth while also harnessing an ability to step out and shoot the three-pointer.
He is currently playing with the Dutch National Team and will arrive later this summer.
“When he was here (on his recruiting visit), he played some 3-on-3 with our guys,” Howland said. “Our players, notably Robert Woodard II and Tyson Carter, said ‘Coach, this guy is really good, and we need to get him.’ I was encouraged that they thought he was a good player based on their time with him in the gym.”
DAWG NOTES
· Howland has opened the door for suspended junior guard Nick Weatherspoon to return to the floor in 2020. Speaking with the media Tuesday, Howland said he expects Weatherspoon to be ready to go for the season opener after he was suspended for violating team rules Feb. 16.
· Redshirt junior Abdul Ado is still on the mend from a shoulder injury sustained last season. Howland said Ado underwent an operation June 5 and is on track for an October return.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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