Michigan State Spartans basketball goalie Niko Bundalo has a different attitude

Striker Niko Bundalo is one of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s top priorities in the 2025 class.

The five-star recruit recently helped lead Western Reserve Academy to the National Prep Championship by scoring 19 points in the championship game against the elite Newman School. Bundalo will play with the Serbian U18 national team later this summer and compete for the European Basketball Championship.

Bundalo told me he is 6’1″ without shoes. His measurements were taken while training in California at the elite Meyer Institute of Sport. Bundalo is the 24th best player in his class according to the 247Sports Composite.

As one of the best players of his age in the world, Bundalo has a lot to offer on the pitch.

“I’m listed as a (power forward), but I would say I could play as a (small forward) because I can handle the ball and shoot. I can get the rebound and drive the ball upfield. I can pass the ball. I can defend, I can defend and I can be a shot blocker. I think my strength is my ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.”

For all of his abilities, Bundalo told me, it’s his relentlessness that sets him apart, more than any skill or measurable accomplishment he displays on the court. The late Kobe Bryant was Bundalo’s idol growing up, and the competitive mentality is everything to Bundalo. Pushing himself to the limit is what he prides himself on.

When I spoke to Bundalo, I realized how genuinely he believed in himself, his drive and his goals.

“There are no ifs, ands or buts. Since I was born, I wanted to be in the NBA,” Bundalo said. “I know it’s crazy to say that as a 17-year-old because a lot of kids might not be that brave, but I’m working to be the best basketball player that ever touched the ball. For me, it’s not about getting to the NBA, I want to be the best basketball player that ever played. So I hold myself to that standard. You think about the guys, all the all-time greats, all that’s OK, man, pressure builds diamonds… I can’t let it get me down, I’m not going to let it get me down. This is what I’ve wanted my whole life. I don’t care about the price. I don’t care about having to give up. I’m going to do whatever it takes.”

Bundalo’s heroes, Michael Jordan and Bryant, all held their teammates to high standards on the court. Bundalo says he prefers to lead by example, but the intention is the same. He wants to lift up those around him.

“If they want to talk, we can talk. The thing is, I’m in the gym three times a day. If you’re my teammate and you see that and that doesn’t light a fire in you to better yourself and try to find new ways to improve, then I don’t know what else I can do, man,” Bundalo said. “For me, it hasn’t worked so far, I think our team at reserve, we were seeded 15 at the national tournament, won the whole thing. A lot of it comes down to holding people to a certain standard, but more than anything, you have to hold yourself to that exact same standard.”

Bundalo has one more year of high school left. Then he will likely play at the college level, however long it takes for the NBA to come calling. It could probably be sooner rather than later. Predicting how Bundalo might perform at the NBA level would be unfair and irresponsible.

But when you think about the five-star ability combined with this setting, you can’t help but wonder.

Michael France is Sports Illustrated’s Michigan State recruiting reporter and covers all things Big Ten recruiting for Spartan Nation. Follow him on Twitter/X@michaelfrancesi for exclusive coverage of the Spartans’ recruiting.

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