Magic Johnson Crowns Michigan State Star 'Best PG in America'

Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. leads team to Sweet 16 with historic performance

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:49am

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After Michigan State's second-round NCAA Tournament win over Louisville, NBA legend and Spartans alum Magic Johnson took to social media to heap praise on point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., calling him the 'best PG in America' after Fears recorded 12 points and a Michigan State NCAA tournament-record 16 assists.

Why it matters

Fears Jr.'s dominant performance and Johnson's high praise cement his status as one of the top point guards in college basketball, continuing Michigan State's reputation as 'Point Guard U' by producing elite floor generals like Magic himself.

The details

Fears Jr. controlled the game from start to finish, dishing out 16 assists - the most ever by a Michigan State player in the NCAA tournament. The Spartans cruised to a 77-69 victory, with Fears Jr. also contributing 12 points. Teammate Coen Carr added a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

  • Michigan State defeated Louisville 77-69 in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Fears Jr.

Michigan State's star point guard who recorded 12 points and a school NCAA tournament-record 16 assists in the win over Louisville.

Coen Carr

Michigan State forward who recorded the first double-double of his career with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Magic Johnson

NBA legend and Michigan State alum who praised Fears Jr. as the 'best PG in America' after the game.

Tom Izzo

Michigan State's head coach, who has developed a long line of elite point guards at 'Point Guard U'.

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What they’re saying

“I just finished watching my Michigan State Spartans defeat Louisville 77-69. I believe Jeremy Fears Jr. is the best PG in America and today he scored 12 points and 16 assists to record the most assists in Michigan State's history in the NCAA tournament!”

— Magic Johnson

“Coen Carr had his first career double-double scoring 21 points and 10 assists. MSU's bench came up big with 21 total points, led by Trey Fort who had 12. The Spartans advance to the Sweet Sixteen!”

— Magic Johnson

“This is Point Guard University. Coach (Tom Izzo) had great point guards before me and I'm just trying to keep it going, but overall it's my teammates. You know teammates they making the shots, they doing the hard part I'm just getting them the ball.”

— Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State Point Guard

What’s next

The Spartans will face the winner of the Gonzaga-UCLA matchup in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Jeremy Fears Jr.'s historic performance and Magic Johnson's high praise cement Michigan State's reputation as 'Point Guard U', continuing the program's legacy of producing elite floor generals who can lead their teams deep into the NCAA Tournament.