| Share it

ADVERTISEMENT

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Averaging 14 points and four assists per contest, Drew Neitzel dazzles fans with his three-point shooting and scrappy play. That, paired with his gritty attitude and team-first mentality, has many sports pundits wondering if the Michigan State basketball phenom is the best 11-year-old point guard in the game.

“Drew is a true talent and a pleasure to have on the team,” said Tom Izzo, Michigan State head coach. “He is great for the culture of this group because he brings in a lot of fight, excitement, and toys.”

ESPN analyst Doug Gottlieb placed Neitzel on his Top 12 Under 12 list before the season began and said the MSU star has not let him down. “Drew Neitzel is one of those rare players who is able to combine tremendous ball-handling skills with extreme adolescence.”

Neitzel, a Grand Rapids native, has excelled at every level in his basketball career. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the Grand Rapids Park District Youth Basketball League in 2006 and 2007 while running the point for the Jake’s Hardware Hammers and won four trophies at a local basketball camp in 2005.

“Here is a young boy with a tremendous future,” said CBS Sports commentator Billy Packer “With his talent now, there’s no telling what he will be able to accomplish when he’s, say, 13 or 14.”