ESPN | Guinness World Record Holder Rejects Multi-Million Dollar SEC Deals to Commit to Michigan State!
“The dream isn’t money. The dream is legacy,” he says.
In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the entire college basketball world, 7-foot-9 Guinness World Record holder Aleksei “The Sky Tower” Petrov, officially committed to Michigan State University, turning down blockbuster offers from Florida, Kentucky, and Texas—all of which reportedly included multi-million-dollar NIL incentives.
The towering 18-year-old phenom from St. Petersburg, Russia, who holds the record as the tallest active basketball player in the world, made the announcement live on ESPN College Gameday, standing alongside Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. “I was raised to follow my heart, not the highest bidder,” said Petrov. “When I visited East Lansing, I felt something money can’t buy—family, tradition, and fire.”
This stunning decision is being hailed as a transformative moment not only for the Spartans, but for the broader landscape of college athletics. Petrov’s commitment defies the growing trend of choosing programs based on NIL earnings and television exposure. Instead, his focus is firmly on team chemistry, personal development, and championship aspirations.
According to sources, the University of Florida offered a $5.5 million NIL package, Kentucky was prepared to push beyond $6 million, and Texas reportedly dangled a $7.2 million deal backed by major tech boosters. But Petrov, citing his admiration for legendary Spartans like Magic Johnson, Draymond Green, and his deep conversations with Izzo, made what some are calling “the most honorable decision in modern college basketball.”
Coach Izzo, entering his twilight years at the helm, called it a “soul-shaking moment for the program.” He continued, “We didn’t just land a big man—we landed a man with a big heart. Aleksei is the embodiment of Spartan toughness and humility.”
Petrov’s commitment is expected to catapult Michigan State into national title contention and ignite a new chapter in Big Ten dominance. Spartan Nation is already buzzing with excitement, and tickets for next season are selling at a historic pace.
Follow ESPN and MSU Basketball for full interview footage, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive footage from Aleksei’s emotional campus tour.
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