GREEN & WHITE BASKETBALL

Michigan State recruiting target Brandon McCoy commits to UNLV

Chris Solari
Detroit Free Press
McDonalds High School All-American center Brandon McCoy (44) shoots the ball as teammate Brian Bowen (bottom left corner) watches during the second half at the United Center. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is trying to land both Saginaw native Bowen and McCoy to complete the Spartans' 2017 recruiting c lass.

Michigan State missed out on one of its final top recruiting targets late Tuesday night. It hopes to hear better news Wednesday.

Five-star big man Brandon McCoy announced on Twitter that he plans to attend UNLV this fall. The 6-foot-11, 244-pound center from San Diego-via-Chicago, who was a McDonald’s All-American, picked the Running Rebels over MSU, Oregon, Arizona and San Diego State.

The Spartans now wait to hear about four-star combo guard Mark Smith. The Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year will announce his choice at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Edwardsville (Illinois) High. He reportedly will choose between MSU, Illinois, Ohio State, Missouri and a number of other late high-major suitors that included Kentucky and Duke.

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The 6-foot-5 Smith averaged 21.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.1 steals while making 44 three-pointers as a senior to lead Edwardsville to a 30-2 record. The Mr. Basketball winner in Illinois finished as the No. 52 player for 2017 in the Rivals.com national rankings and is rated No. 74 player by 247Sports.com and No. 76 by Scout.com.

MSU has one open spot available for its 2017 class, with one more in flux depending on Ben Carter’s appeal to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

The Spartans also have been chasing swingman Brian Bowen, a five-star wing from Saginaw. The 6-7 McDonald’s All-American, who is prep school teammates with MSU signee Jaren Jackson Jr. at La Lumiere School in Indiana, said he plans to announce his college choice this month. Bowen has listed the Spartans, Arizona, Creighton, Texas and North Carolina State as his five finalists.

Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@chrissolari