Coen Carr Draft Projection
Michigan State forward Coen Carr may only be entering his sophomore season, but the buzz around his pro potential is already buildingand louder than a jam-packed Breslin Center during a rivalry game. A recent prediction by CBS Sports’ college basketball insider Matt Norlander suggests that Carr could be one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, turning heads across the Big Ten and beyond.
An Early Forecast Worth Watching
With NBA scouts constantly scanning for the next versatile wing who can fly above the rim and lock down positions 1 through 4, Carr fits the bill as a modern prospect. Norlander has already dropped Carr’s name in his early projection as a future first-rounder. While the list is preliminary and based on current development arcs, it’s hard to ignore the athletic potential and ceiling Carr offers.
The 6-foot-6, high-flying forward was a highlight reel in his freshman season, showcasing unreal bounce, explosive energy, and a penchant for making Spartan fans rise out of their seats. His above-the-rim game is elite even by NBA standards. The key now? Matching that athleticism with consistent shooting, defensive awareness, and further polish on the offensive end.
Thrust Into the National Spotlight
Even in a stacked Michigan State lineup under the ever-steady hand of Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, Carr began to carve out his niche with put-back dunks, lockdown perimeter defense, and the kind of hustle plays that win championships in March. He’s exactly the kind of high-motor, high-character player NBA franchises salivate overespecially in a class like 2026, which projects to be wide open beyond a few early headliners.
Norlander isn’t alone in seeing Carr’s stock rising. Multiple scouts and draft analysts have begun to take note of his growth, particularly looking toward his sophomore breakout potential. If Carr develops a reliable jump shot and tightens his handle, there’s every reason to believe he’ll elevate into the upper half of the first roundor even lottery territory.
The Road Ahead
The 2024-25 season stands to be a defining campaign for Carr. Michigan State’s depth chart is filled with talent, but that hasn’t stopped Izzo before from developing NBA-ready wings (see: Bridges, Miles or Brown, Aaron). Carr is likely to see expanded minutes and a more significant roleespecially if he starts showing that he’s not just a dunk contest champ playing in regulation games.
Beyond the raw highlights, it’s the elements like transition defense, pick-and-roll timing, and off-ball movement that NBA teams want to see smoothened out. Carr has already shown flashes of that maturity and if he continues on this track, there’s little doubt he’ll be on the radar of every front office come 2026.
Comparison Station: Who Does He Mirror?
Whenever draft talk heats up, it’s only natural that comparisons come flying in. Think a blend between KJ Martin and Obi Toppin: crazy athleticism, a relentless motor, and potential that hinges on developing a consistent outside shot and polished offensive sets. Carr doesn’t just play above the rimhe lives up there.
Final Thoughts
It’s way too early to etch names in stone for the 2026 NBA Draft, but if you’re assembling a shortlist of potential breakout stars with lottery potential, Coen Carr deserves a spot near the top. He’s raw but rapidly developing, under expert coaching, and loaded with the kind of intangibles that scouts simply can’t ignore.
Keep your eyes on the Celtics green in East Lansing come fall. If Carr continues soaringquite literallydon’t be surprised when David Stern’s successor calls his name earlier than most expected.
“Carr’s blend of explosiveness and switchable defense gives him one of the highest athletic ceilings in the 2026 class.” – Matt Norlander, CBS Sports
From MSU to MSG? Don’t bet against it.
