Michigan State Basketball will have a new starting point guard next year.
In an interview with Tim Staudt on Staudt on Sports on AM-730 radio On Wednesday morning, MSU coach Tom Izzo said his senior point guard will not return to MSU in 2024-25.
“AJ is looking to make a professional career out of it,” Izzo said. “He could go back to college, but it wouldn’t be here. I think we have some younger guys and he has exhausted his and will graduate.”
Hoggard, who has served as MSU’s starting point guard the past two seasons, played in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a pre-draft tournament for players who have played a full college career, this weekend alongside fellow senior Tyson Walker.
Hoggard averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 28.7 minutes as the lead guard for a Michigan State team that finished 20-15 with a second-round exit from the NCAA Tournament to the North Caroline. Hoggard was 1-of-10 on three-pointers with four assists, three rebounds and three turnovers in the loss to the Tar Heels.
Izzo said Hoggard wants to start his professional basketball career, but said he could return to college if that’s what he wants.
“I think he would like to get into professional football,” Izzo said. “Whether in Europe or in the G League. But nowadays everyone will look at college too, depending on offers from different places.”
The senior guard is expected to be replaced by junior Tre Hollomon and sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr., who missed the last half of his freshman year with a gunshot wound. Guard Jase Richardson, son of former MSU star Jason Richardson, is in the Spartans’ 2024 recruiting class.
Izzo said he will be choosy when examining options for additions to the squad through the transfer portal as he does not want to change the composition of his team, saying it has to be the right choice.
“You have to find the right type of kid who is going to help your team,” Izzo said when talking about the ideal transfer. “And the right kind of kid who will fit in with the other players, especially when you’re younger. But I’m excited about our team. I think people will be surprised.
Izzo also gave an update on senior center Mady Sissoko, who entered her name into the transfer portal after the season. Izzo said Sissoko is visiting schools like Washington, Cal, Colorado and San Diego State.
“Mady, as a Foster Loyer, will be a guy who leaves here with a lot of grace,” Izzo said. “He’s going to graduate, he’s going to accomplish some things. And yet, some of me are sad to see Mady leave, because I think he was progressing his sophomore year and then his junior year, he just didn’t have as good of a year.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Michigan State Basketball’s Tom Izzo: AJ Hoggard Won’t Return
