Next up on TOC’s 2026 recruits is power forward Julius Avent.
Avent is a 4-star power forward and number 87 in 247 Sports’ composite rankings as he dropped three spots this past week.
Avent seems like the perfect Izzo guy. He’s got a strong frame and plays physical. He’s 6-7 and 220 pounds with a wingspan of 7-foot-3 and a standing reach of 8-foot-11. Scouting reports are impressed with these physical attributes but they don’t necessarily transcend to areas on the court that you would expect. He’s a solid
rebounder but doesn’t offer the same rim protection on the defensive end. These are a couple of skills that I can see Izzo really helping him improve on.
Julius had nine offers from schools including Penn State, Xavier, Providence, Seton Hall, Washington, Mississippi State, and George Washington. Ultimately, Sparty won out even after he committed and still took a visit to Seton Hall the very next day.
According to an article I found on Avent, he was averaging 15 PTS and 6.2 REB during his senior season at Bergen Catholic in New Jersey. Avent scored 21 points in the state championship game to help his team win the title in overtime. Avent is also the son of six-year NBA player Anthony Avent who played for 5 different teams during his career.
Let’s take a look at some film highlights and scouting.
Playmaking
Avent has the ability to get into the paint. He’s a ball pusher who is not afraid of the physicality down low. He has a nice ability to get into the lane and get defenders in trouble. He’s an 83% free throw shooter, even with an ugly release from the line. He will have opportunities to dish the ball back out to an open shooter as defenders collapse around him in the paint.
Defending
Looking at some of the scouting video, you can see his ability to get in lanes and create turnovers. He needs to strengthen his quickness laterally on defense. This makes him slower on switches and moving to the collegiate level, this weakness could be exploited. Where he lacks in the lateral department he makes up for with the wingspan and he is good with both hands defensively. What I notice about him is he’s scrappy. He’s going to get in there and get dirty, put a body on you and make your work for everything. He can guard multiple positions and all of that screams an Izzo guy.
Shooting and Creating Space
Avent has an ability to create space for pull up jumpers and possesses a tremendous amount of upside in improving this as he further develops. He is a consistent spot-up shooter that defenders will have to be aware of. Avent has a nice arc to his shots and a soft touch. The arc with his wingspan makes it very tough for defenders’ hands to do much. He is 38% from behind the arc when unguarded and anyone that knows MSU basketball would likely be happy with that as a starting point from three as MSU has struggled from there the past few seasons. Scoring on drives in the paint, spot-up jumpers, behind the arc, and an ability to finish with a dunk make him a solid scoring threat from anywhere on the court.
Off-the-dribble Game
Avent gets himself open. He is very good with the ball but is talented at sliding into an open spot on the baseline. I’d like to see his rebounding get better and this will help key in on second chance points. He certainly has all the physical attributes to make this a big part of his game.
Takeaway
I think Avent has the opportunity to be a very good player, specifically for an Izzo team. He’s extremely versatile and his natural athleticism has helped him excel. There is room for improvements in a few facets of his game but being surrounded by a talented roster and a coaching staff that also develops players well make MSU a great fit for Avent. I am excited to see him on the court with Jasiah Jervis. I can see the two of them together being a nightmare for defenders. Avent driving in the paint and dishing out to an open Jervis could be something we all could get used to. Right now, with the depth of the roster and his need to improve in some areas, we may not see that for another year. Avent is likely to be deep on the bench, but if you play well, it doesn’t mean you’ll stay there.
What do you think TOC? How do you see him fitting in with this highly-touted class and roster of proven upperclassman? Will he see much playing time or will we likely be waiting a year before we get the full taste?
Go Green.
