Former Michigan State Forward Xavier Booker Transfers to Big Ten Rival UCLA

In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of the Big Ten Conference next season, former Michigan State forward Xavier Booker has announced his decision to transfer to UCLA. The highly-touted sophomore entered the NCAA transfer portal in March and has now committed to the Bruins, bringing both talent and potential to Mick Cronin’s squad as UCLA prepares for its second season in the Big Ten.

Booker, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound forward from Indianapolis, Indiana, was one of the most highly recruited players in the Class of 2023. A consensus five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American coming out of Cathedral High School, Booker was ranked among the top 15 players nationally and was lauded for his length, athleticism, and ability to stretch the floor. His unique blend of size and skill made him a coveted prospect, and his commitment to Michigan State was considered a major recruiting win for head coach Tom Izzo.

However, Booker’s freshman season in East Lansing was a mixed bag. He appeared in 25 games, averaging 3.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in just under 10 minutes per game. While he showed flashes of brilliance, including a 12-point performance against Alcorn State and several key defensive plays throughout the season, he struggled to find consistent playing time in a crowded frontcourt rotation that included veterans like Malik Hall and Mady Sissoko. Despite his undeniable potential, Booker often found himself on the bench during critical moments of the season.

Following Michigan State’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament, Booker entered the transfer portal on March 27, seeking a new opportunity and a system that could better utilize his skill set. Within days, he drew interest from multiple high-major programs, including Indiana, Kansas, Texas, and UCLA. Ultimately, Booker chose to take his talents to Westwood, where he is expected to play a much more prominent role.

For UCLA, the addition of Booker comes at a critical time. The Bruins are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign in which they missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Mick Cronin’s tenure. With multiple departures from last season’s roster and a need for frontcourt depth and versatility, Booker’s commitment offers a promising infusion of talent. His ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and run in transition fits well with Cronin’s defensive-minded, up-tempo style of play.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Xavier to the Bruin family,” said Cronin in a statement released by the program. “He’s an elite talent with the size, mobility, and basketball IQ to make an immediate impact. We believe in his potential, and we’re excited to help him take the next step in his development.”

Booker, for his part, expressed excitement about his new chapter.

“I want to thank Coach Izzo, my teammates, and the entire Michigan State community for supporting me during my freshman year,” Booker said in a statement shared on social media. “It was a valuable experience that helped me grow, but I’m ready for a new challenge. I chose UCLA because of the coaching staff, the system, and the opportunity to develop and compete at the highest level. I can’t wait to get to work in Westwood.”

The move also adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving dynamics of the Big Ten, which has expanded to include four former Pac-12 schools UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington  beginning with the 2024–25 academic year. Booker’s transfer marks one of the first major intra-conference transfers since the expansion, and it could set a precedent for more movement between traditional Big Ten schools and the new West Coast members.

As for Michigan State, Booker’s departure is a notable loss, but not entirely unexpected given the program’s depth and incoming recruits. Tom Izzo has already secured commitments from multiple top-100 prospects and is expected to lean on returning players like Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to anchor the frontcourt next season.

Still, Booker’s decision to transfer to a conference rival could raise eyebrows, particularly given the growing trend of top players seeking out better individual opportunities amid the increasingly fluid transfer and NIL landscape.

“It’s the nature of college basketball today,” one Big Ten assistant coach said anonymously. “You’ve got to recruit your players every day, and even then, you might lose guys to teams in your own league. It stings, but that’s the game now.”

Despite the ups and downs of his freshman season, many still believe Booker has NBA-level potential. His combination of length, touch, and agility is rare for a player his size, and with the right development path, he could emerge as one of the breakout stars of the Big Ten next season. Scouts will be closely watching how he adjusts to Cronin’s system and whether increased playing time and a change of scenery can unlock the talent that made him a top-15 prospect just a year ago.

For UCLA fans, the addition of Xavier Booker signals hope  not just for a return to national relevance, but for a new era of Bruin basketball in the Big Ten. If he can deliver on the promise he showed as a high school standout, he could be a cornerstone piece in UCLA’s quest to climb back into national title contention.

With summer workouts set to begin in a few months, all eyes will be on Westwood to see how Booker’s presence reshapes the Bruins’ frontcourt  and how one of the Big Ten’s most tantalizing young talents fares in a brand-new setting