Carlos Medlock Emerges As Jeremy Fears’ Backup

Jeremy Fears was Michigan State’s second‑team All‑America point guard, but his heavy minutes left the Spartans searching for a reliable backup. The departure of Divine Ugochukwu and limited availability of Denham Wojcik heightened that need. Enter freshman Carlos Medlock Jr., who is using the Moneyball Pro‑Am summer league to stake his claim as the next floor general for the Spartans.

Medlock’s Recruit Profile

Carlos Medlock Jr. is a 5‑foot‑11, 165‑pound point guard from the 2026 recruiting class, rated as a four‑star, top‑50 prospect. He joins a MSU class that features other notable talents such as Jasiah Jervis, Ethan Taylor and Julius Avent. Medlock played his last high school season at Link Academy Prep School in Branson, Missouri, averaging 21.1 points, 2.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. Before that, he led Wayne Memorial High School to its first‑ever MHSAA state‑title game in 2025, posting 22 points in the championship run.

Summer League Impact

Medlock made an immediate impression during the Moneyball Pro‑Am opener on June 23, contributing 22 points while sharing the floor with fellow Spartan Anton Bonke. His second outing on July 7 produced a standout 36‑point performance, highlighted by six three‑pointers against Coen Carr’s Team TriStar. In the process he showcased the quickness and dribble penetration that earned him a starting spot at Link Academy. The 165‑pound guard’s scoring burst has already drawn praise from coaches and fans at Holt High School.

Fears’ Mentoring Role

Veteran point guard Jeremy Fears sees Medlock as the next leader of MSU’s backcourt and has taken him under his wing during the summer. “I’m bringing him in, we’re working out together every morning,” Fears explained, emphasizing the daily work on fundamentals. He added that once his own tenure ends, Medlock would be “the next to lead us in great hands.” Medlock, meanwhile, says he is “learning from his legacy being at Michigan State” and soaking up the point‑guard playbook under Coach Izzo.

Future Outlook for MSU

With Ugochukwu and Wojcik gone, Medlock is expected to be the primary backup to Fears, giving the Spartans depth at the guard spot. Tom Izzo’s reputation for turning raw talent into elite college point guards makes the hiring of a four‑star prospect like Medlock particularly appealing. The competitive Big Ten schedule will demand a reliable secondary playmaker, and Medlock’s summer form suggests he is ready for the leap. If the development continues, he could become the focal point of MSU’s offense once Fears moves on.

The Moneyball Pro‑Am photos capture Medlock’s rise, from his early scoring sparks to key defensive plays that illustrate his growing chemistry with the Michigan State program. These images give fans a visual timeline of how a top‑recruit is stacking up against college‑level competition.