Coach Izzo stated fairly definitively that senior point guard AJ Hoggard is not returning to Michigan State next year, even if he comes back to college.
Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo stated that senior point guard AJ Hoggard is not returning to the Spartans next year. Speaking on Staudt on Sports on AM-730 in Lansing , Izzo stated, “AJ’s looking to make a pro career. He could go back to college. It wouldn’t be here.”
The statement from Izzo comes while Hoggard is preparing to take part in the Portsmouth Invitational. The event is designed to showcase college players that have completed four years of eligibility before the NBA draft . Fellow Spartan Tyson Walker is also participating in the event .
Hoggard qualifies for the Portsmouth Invitational because he has completed four years at Michigan State. Due to the oddity of the COVID year granted to Hoggard, he could theoretically participate in the event and still do a fifth year in college. Though it should be noted that Portsmouth organizers specifically warn any player involved, that participating could adversely impact their collegiate eligibility (something that was a non-issue before the COVID year gave the fifth year option to a few years of players).
After their loss to UNC in the NCAA Tournament, Hoggard indicated he had not made his mind up. His agent apparently told MLive that Hoggard intended to keep open the possibility of college even while exploring the NBA and other pro options.
While AJ Hoggard has made no formal declaration of his future plans, it seems Izzo is clear on the point guards future plans.
“I think he’d like to get into pro ball, whether it be Europe, whether it be the G-League,” Izzo said . “Nowadays, everyone will look at college, too, depending on offers from different places.”
Hoggard’s departure does not seem like a surprise. The senior point guard leaves a mixed legacy at Michigan State that mostly feels like unfulfilled promise. He had some incredible streaks of high quality basketball, including raising his game to help fuel the Sweet 16 run two seasons ago. Those were often offset by stretches of games where he would either disappear or be a liability on the court.
It looks for the best for both the program and Hoggard for him to explore options elsewhere next year. If that path is in professional basketball or with another college program flush with NIL cash remains to be seen.