Bulldogs Ink Another Top 15 Signing Class

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Ben Howland has stuck to his mission of keeping recruiting at the top of his list since he started at Mississippi State.

On Wednesday, the second-year coach landed another stellar class, earning a No. 11 ranking according to several recruiting services with the signing of Nick Weatherspoon, KeyShawn Feazell and Garrison Brooks.

This time a year ago, the Bulldogs earned their highest ranking in school history at No. 4.

"We have three commitments that I am thrilled about," said Howland, whose team opens play Friday at Humphrey Coliseum against Norfolk State in a 7 p.m. tip. "It's an exciting day here at Mississippi State to have those three kids announce that they are going to be a part of our future and our program. I have a great staff and facilities, but the family atmosphere here is the one thing I talk about. I've been at some special institutions as a coach and this place has the feel of family, that is really special and unique."

Nick Weatherpsoon
6-2 | 173 | G | Velma Jackson High School | Canton, MS

2015-16 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
2016-17 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
First-Team All-State junior year
Mississippi All-Star team for juniors
Invited to Adidas nation in California two years in a row
Ranked fourth in Mississippi in free throws made (183)
MVP of the Rumble of the South
Helped take his team to back-to-back state championships
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
No. 1 recruit in Mississippi
Rated as fifth-best point guard in the nation
4-star recruit
Ranked as the 34^th best overall player by ESPN

"Watching him a year ago, not this past summer but the summer before, he played out in Vegas and he was just phenomenal. He made his team so much better, and I was like wow, he's the only player I have ever watched where he reminded me of Russel Westbrook. That is the ultimate compliment that I can pay a player, and it's because of his motor. What makes Russell Westbrook special is what makes Nick special; competitive, toughness, desire to win and playing both ends of the floor. I can't pay a young man a higher compliment." – Ben Howland

Garrison Brooks
6-10 | 220 | F |Auburn High School | Lafayette, AL

As a junior averaged 15.9 points 11.4 rebounds per game to go along with his 2.6 blocks
As a sophomore averaged 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game
Had collegiate offers from 22 schools
Holds the Auburn High School record for most career blocks at 253
Played AAU for Team Carroll in Las Vegas
Son of George Brooks, assistant coach at MSU

"It's been a long, arduous recruiting effort. We're just thankful that it is over now, and we're excited about the future. Like I said, he's a really talented young man with great skill level for having that size. He's only 17. He's going to be a very good player." — Ben Howland.

KeyShawn Feazell
6-9 | 225 | F | Lawrence County High School | Monticello, MS

2015-16 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
2016-17 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen
4-year varsity player
Averaged 17.3 points and 8.6 rebounds and made 22 3-pointers as a junior
MAC/Mississippi Sports Medicine All Star Classic (North vs South)

"Keyshawn Feazell, another local product from Mississippi down in Lawrence County, is going to be a very good player for us. He's really a phenomenal athlete. His hands are the biggest hands I think of any player I have ever coached at 6'8." — Ben Howland.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Bulldogs Ink Another Top 15 Signing Class

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