Eaton Rapids' Gauna picks Spartans

Alex Gauna managed to wait two days, but he just as easily could have accepted the moment Tom Izzo offered him a scholarship on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-9 junior forward from Eaton Rapids had no reservations.

"I've been waiting for this offer for a very long time," Gauna said Thursday night, a few hours after calling Izzo and giving him a verbal commitment for the class of 2010. "To be honest, there wasn't much to think about."

Gauna becomes the third Michigan State commitment for the class of 2010, joining 6-3 guard Keith Appling of Detroit Pershing and 6-7 guard Russell Byrd of Fort Wayne, Ind. Izzo likely will add one more player to that class, which is shaping up as another substantial haul.

In Gauna - ranked No. 121 nationally in his class by Rivals.com - MSU adds a big man with outside shooting touch.

He has been compared with Goran Suton, who helped lead the Spartans to the national title game as a senior last season, although Gauna said he isn't keen on comparisons with Suton, Paul Davis or any other former MSU big man.

He does see himself fitting in the same way, though, by stretching defenses and scoring inside and outside. The MSU coaching staff told him they don't expect to redshirt him as a freshman.

By NCAA rule, coaches can't comment on recruits until they sign binding letters of intent. The early signing period for the class of 2010 is in November.

Gauna averaged 16.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a junior last season. He was being recruited by several other schools, including Indiana, Minnesota, Xavier and Dayton.

Eaton Rapids coach Adam Trumpour said Gauna has "very good ball skills" and is "very athletic, he plays above the rim."

"He's really developed his back-to-the-basket game and he's an extremely strong kid," said Trumpour, who is coming off his first season as Eaton Rapids' coach. "He could really be a very good combination player."

Trumpour is an MSU alum who sought out Izzo as a student and patterns his style after MSU's. The MSU coaching staff watched Gauna closely last season to track his development.

One thing he improved under Trumpour was his rebounding, getting about three more a game as a junior than as a sophomore.

"I just wanted to show them something good (last season)," Gauna said, "and I got what I wanted, I guess you could say."

Gauna, who weighs 228 pounds, has been prolific in the weight room, Trumpour said. He's also versatile, often bringing the ball up against the press last season.

When Gauna and Trumpour called Izzo to give him the news Thursday, MSU's coach reacted with excitement and emotion.

Gauna felt the same way when Izzo and his assistants offered in a two-hour meeting at Breslin Center, but he kept his poker face.

"I didn't react much, I think I was kind of in shock," Gauna said, "because I didn't believe it was actually happening."