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The Michigan State Spartans continue to tinker with the roster as it was announced two in-state transfers will be joining the squad for 2021-2022 as preferred walk-ons. Former Western Michigan Broncos guard Jason Whitens and former Ferris State Bulldog forward Michael Peterson have transferred to Michigan State and will be preferred walk-ons this season.
Sometimes pictures can peer into the future… now former WMU guard @JasonWhitens5 will play for Tom Izzo and the Spartans after entering the NCAA transfer portal May 7 https://t.co/1QOFKC8BPp
— Spencer Mathews (@yeeahspencer) July 21, 2021
Whitens hails from Powers, Michigan which is a mere 19 miles from MSU head coach Tom Izzo’s hometown of Iron Mountain in the western upper peninsula. Whitens initially committed and played for the Broncos since the 2017-2018 season and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May while being named an Academic All-MAC selection.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 185-pounds, and averaged 5.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists last season as a redshirt junior. Whitens shot 55.6-percent from two-point range and over his career in Kalamazoo he averaged 30-percent from three-point range.
A big congrats to @FerrisMBBALL senior forward Michael Peterson, who has graduated to a new opportunity as a grad transfer with the Michigan State men's basketball squad. Thanks for all you have done for FSU. You'll always be a Bulldog! https://t.co/EItb0Muor2 pic.twitter.com/wQBMIDSE2m
— Ferris Athletics (@ferrisathletics) July 22, 2021
Michael Peterson will also be a graduate-transfer for the Spartans, having spent the past five seasons in Big Rapids playing at Ferris State and graduating this past spring. Peterson earned GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honors for three straight seasons to finish his career. Peterson was also a member of the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship team at Ferris State and was a member of three conference championship teams.
Peterson appeared in in 96 career games during his time at FSU, including each game in the past three seasons. During his final season, he averaged 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 41.4-percent from the field and 34.5-percent from three-point range. Peterson is a native of Rockford, Michigan.