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Vernon Carey picks Duke basketball over Michigan State, UNC

Vernon Carey Jr. is heading to Duke. That leaves Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball still searching for a centerpiece to their 2019 recruiting class. Carey announced on ESPN that he will become a Blue Devil and join coach Mike Krzyzewski’s program next fall. The 5-star recruit from University School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, made his decision on ESPN. "The reason why I chose Duke was coach K and just the recruiting class they're bringing in this year (with) Wendell Moore and Boogie Ellis," Carey said on "SportsCenter." "And hopefully some guys can come with me." Carey took his final official visit to MSU and attended the football game with Ohio State on Nov. 10. He chose Duke over the Spartans and North Carolina. The 6-foot-10 center from Fort Lauderdale is rated as the nation’s No. 1 player by Rivals.com, No. 2 player by 247Sports.com and No. 3 player by ESPN.com. MSU had one player who signed during the 2019 early signing period in swingman Malik Hall from Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas (via Aurora, Illinois) and also has a commitment from guard Mark “Rocket” Watts from SPIRE Academy in Ohio (via Detroit). Izzo has said MSU has two open spots available for sure in 2019, but added that “you never know after that” with potential NBA departures and transfers. Watts cannot sign a letter of intent until the normal college basketball signing period , which will be from April 17-May 15, 2019. MSU coaches cannot comment on recruits until they sign their national letter of intent. Izzo in recent years had lost out head-to-head against Duke for top recruits Jabari Parker in the 2013 class and Tyus Jones in the 2014 class. MSU also continues to pursue center Isaiah Stewart and forward Keion Brooks, a pair of 5-star players from La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana. That is the school where Izzo landed Jaren Jackson Jr. from, and Jackson's father Jaren Sr. is currently an assistant coach at La Lumiere. The Spartans also have interest in 5-star shooting guard Anthony Edwards from Holy Spirit Prep in Atlanta and 4-star combo guard Harlond Beverly from Monteverde Academy in Florida. Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!