Michigan State forward Ben Carter needs knee surgery

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State forward Ben Carter has had another setback.

The school said Monday the graduate transfer from UNLV needs knee surgery that will keep him out ''an extended period,'' after he was hurt over the weekend while defending a shot.

The 6-foot-9 Carter had season-ending knee injury in January after he was averaging 8.6 points and six rebounds for the Rebels. He spent the first two seasons of his college career at Oregon.

Carter had a chance to play a key role for the Spartans, who had four players move on to play in the NBA and two players transfer from last season's team.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo will be counting on perhaps the best recruiting class he has had led by 6-7 freshman forward Miles Bridges.