Announcements from two Michigan high school basketball stars confirmed that they would be keeping their talents in-state for the next few years. Marcus Bingham and Brandon Johns, both 2018 ESPN 100 recruits, will be attending Michigan State and Michigan respectively.

Brandon Johns, who attends East Lansing High School in Michigan State’s backyard, announced that he would become a Wolverine following his graduation next spring. Johns is the number one prospect in the state of Michigan, the No. 54 overall recruit, and No. 18 at power forward. Johns, a four-star recruit, chose Michigan over Memphis, Xavier, Texas, Iowa, Alabama, and Creighton.

Michigan State retaliated on Friday, however, when they landed 6-foot-10 Marcus Bingham from Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Bingham, who is a late bloomer, is the No. 2 player in the state behind Johns and the No. 79 player overall. Bingham has only played 2 years of varsity basketball—a rarity for top recruits entering their senior year—and has sprouted up eight inches in the last two years. Bingham chose Tom Izzo and Michigan State over Purdue, VCU, Pittsburgh, Butler and Xavier.

All in all, the commitment of Johns was huge for the Wolverines who had to keep up with their Big 10 and in-state rival. Johns was Michigan’s second recruit of the 2018 class, while Bingham was the Spartans’ fourth.

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