Michigan State guard Max Christie, right, blocks a shot by Duke guard Jeremy Roach during the second half of a second-round game in the NCAA tournament on March 20 in Greenville, S.C. (AP file photo)

The Lakers selected the Michigan State guard with the 35th overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night. The team also agreed to terms with undrafted guards Scotty Pippen Jr. of Vanderbilt and Cole Swider of Syracuse on two-way contracts.

The Lakers hadn’t drafted a player from Michigan State since Magic Johnson, but general manager Rob Pelinka said Christie was the unanimous choice among the front office members and scouting department when Los Angeles’ newly acquired pick came up.

A 6-foot-6 shooter and wing defender, Christie left East Lansing after just one season. The Lakers believe he’ll evolve into a talent worthy of a much higher selection once he has worked within the team’s system.

“He’s got the ability to be a pick-and-roll guard and handle the ball,” Pelinka said. “He’s got a very nice shooting stroke. I think when we plug him into Darvin (Ham) and (top assistant) Chris Jent and the developmental coaches that we’re going to have, I really think he’s going to turn into a really good shooter.”

Michigan State guard Max Christie tries to block a shot by Minnesota during the first half of their game on Dec. 8 in Minneapolis. (AP file photo)

Christie averaged 9.3 points and 3.5 assists last year as a freshman with the Spartans. He’s now a teammate of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the 19-year-old was still getting used to the idea as he left the draft in New York.

“I don’t know if it’s completely processed in my mind, the magnitude of that, but it’s definitely crossed my mind a couple of times,” Christie said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to learn and get better and play alongside them, as obviously ridiculous as it is.”

Although Christie hit just 31.7% of his 3-point attempts as a freshman, his smooth shot and improving wing defense attracted the Lakers’ attention.