Nick Weatherspoon details Mississippi State commitment

Nick Weatherspoon chose familiarity. He chose opportunity. He chose Mississippi State.

The five-star Velma Jackson point guard verbally committed Sunday to Mississippi State while on a visit to the school.

In MSU, Weatherspoon sees a program where he can make an early impact at the point guard position. He is a player looking to thrive early in college and then make the jump to the NBA.

MSU is also where Weatherspoon’s older brother Quinndary just finished up a solid freshman season.

"I was so close to these guys and I just see myself playing really well here at the point guard position," Weatherspoon said. "I really trust coach Ben Howland. He will do things to help me get better as a guard and put me in position to play at even the next level in one or two years."

For MSU, the importance of landing Weatherspoon cannot be overstated. Weatherspoon, who is 6-foot-2, is the top 2017 player in Mississippi and has climbed in national rankings this summer on the AAU circuit while playing under Omhar Carter for MBA Hoops. Weatherspoon is ranked as the No. 32 player in the country by ESPN and No. 28 by Rivals.

Weatherspoon, who was a Dandy Dozen last year and earned first-team all-state honors, averaged 22.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game in leading the Falcons to a Class 3A semifinal. He ranked fourth in the state in free throws made (183), and scored 25 or more 14 times and 40 or more twice.

Howland reeled in a tremendous 2016 class, featuring former Starkville guard Tyson Carter and five other four-star prospects, after taking the MSU coaching job in March 2015. Landing Weatherspoon is critical because the Bulldogs would have a true point guard in him who can score and play defense. Weatherspoon attributed a significant part of his recruitment to Howland and the MSU staff.

Weatherspoon had expected to visit NC State next weekend, but said he no longer plans to make the trip — or any other, for that matter. Weatherspoon has offers from North Carolina, Louisville and Ohio State, but said the Bulldogs did the best job recruiting him.

"They checked on me every day," Weatherspoon said. "I didn't talk to the other head coaches like I talked to coach Howland. I am firmly with Mississippi State and I am really happy about that."

Predictably, the celebration in Starkville has been in full-swing.

"There was a lot of yelling," Weatherspoon said with a laugh.

Another obvious reason for choosing MSU was the opportunity to play alongside Quinndary, who was named to the All-SEC freshman team. The two led Velma Jackson to three straight state championships.

"It had a lot to do with it," Weatherspoon said. "I really want to get to play with my brother again."