AJ Hoggard seems ready to move on Michigan State Basketball.
The senior point guard has committed to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, tournament officials announced Saturday, a move that indicates Hoggard will turn pro despite still having one season of college eligibility remaining. Mady Sissoko, who entered the transfer portal on April 4, also bypassed a fifth year at MSU that would have been allowed due to an NCAA waiver during the pandemic for her freshman season in 2020-21.
Hoggard tested the NBA draft process after last season but decided to return to the Spartans. He has not made a public announcement about what his plans are, saying after MSU’s season ended that he was undecided. However, the tournament warned players with an extra season of eligibility remaining for the COVID waiver that accepting one of 64 spots in the NBA’s 70th annual pre-draft event “may negatively impact” their ability to return to college.
“Accordingly, before accepting an invitation to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, college players who wish to preserve the option to return to college for the 2024-25 season should consult with their head coach and the compliance department at their educational institution to discuss how remaining NCAA eligibility may be affected by participation in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament,” the tournament website says.
Former MSU guard Tyson Walker committed Tuesday to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which will be held Wednesday through Saturday in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The early registration deadline for the NBA draft is April 27, although the 23-year-old Hoggard has already completed four years of college. The NCAA’s deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft process and return to classes for the 2024-25 season is 10 days after the end of the pre-draft scouting combine, which is scheduled for May 13-19 in Chicago.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Hoggard averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 28.7 minutes this winter. The Spartans finished with a 20-15 record and ended the season with an 85-69 loss to No. 1 North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hoggard was 1-of-10 on three-pointers with four assists, three rebounds and three turnovers in the loss to the Tar Heels.
ANALYSIS: Examining Michigan State’s 2024-25 basketball roster heading into crucial offseason
Hoggard this winter made 40.7% of his overall shots, 34.7% of his 3-point attempts and 78.7% of his free throw attempts. He also averaged 1.4 steals with 1.8 turnovers, and MSU had 162 more points with him on the floor.
As a junior leading MSU to the Sweet 16 in 2022-23 — the only time the Spartans have made it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament in Hoggard’s four seasons — he scored 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists. In 131 career games for MSU, Hoggard averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 41% overall and just 30.3% from 3-point range.
SEE MORE INFORMATION: 5 tasks for Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball this offseason
Even without Hoggard, MSU appears set at point guard next season, with freshman Jeremy Fears Jr. and sophomore Tre Holloman returning and Jase Richardson arriving as a freshman. However, Fears is recovering from a December gunshot wound to his left leg and said last month that he does not expect to return to full basketball activities until the summer.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @crissolari.
Sign up to “Spartan Speak” Podcast for new episodes weekly at Litter, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And watch all our podcasts and daily voice briefings at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball: AJ Hoggard commits to NBA pre-draft event
