How Coen Carr’s Unexpected Shooting Leap is Redefining His Game—and Earning Izzo’s Rave Reviews

Coen Carr’s off-season hustle is turning heads, and it’s not just because of his jaw-dropping dunks anymore. This Michigan State standout is putting serious work into sharpening his shooting game, aiming to add another lethal weapon to his arsenal. From freshman leaps to sophomore strides, Carr’s trajectory in front of the basket is catching the eyes of none other than Tom Izzo himself. The Spartan coach’s recent shout-out confirms that Carr isn’t just adding muscle—he’s becoming a more versatile threat ready to carry a heftier load this season. With last year’s 8.1 points per game and a respectable 33% three-point clip as a baseline, the upcoming campaign looks poised for a whole new level of Carr’s impact on the hardwood. If Izzo’s words hold any weight—and they do—it’s safe to say Spartan fans have plenty to get excited about. LEARN MORE

Michigan State basketball player Coen Carr is focusing on improving his shooting this offseason.
Head coach Tom Izzo stated Carr has become a better shooter and has also gained strength.
Carr is expected to take on a larger role for the Spartans in the upcoming season.
Last season, Carr averaged 8.1 points per game and shot 33% from three-point range.

Coen Carr has been known for his elite dunking ability, but this offseason he has been focusing on another part of his offensive game.

Carr is expected to be one of the top players on the Michigan State basketball team this upcoming season, and part of that is his improved shooting ability. We saw a notable jump in his shooting from his freshman to his sophomore year, and according to Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo we should expect another big jump from him next year.

“Coen Carr has become a better shooter,” Izzo said earlier this week following the Spartans’ first practice of the 2025-26 season. “He’s shooting the ball better. I think he’s improved, he’s gained some weight — good weight — which I didn’t think he even needed to so he’s stronger… He’s way better with the basketball so we think he can get to the rack a little bit more.”

Carr averaged 20.7 minutes per game this past season, where he averaged 8.1 points per game. He shot 33% from deep last year on 15 attempts, and it sounds like we can expect even more attempts from him this season.

This praise from Izzo for Carr is great to hear knowing he will be leaned on even more than before. It’s also something we should take seriously as Izzo isn’t one to hype up a player without there being true merit to it. This is great news all around for Michigan State as we approach the start of the season.

Check out the complete video of Izzo’s season-opening press conference below — courtesy of SpartanMag:

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