Longtime Michigan State Guard A.J. Hoggard Announces Transfer to Vanderbilt

Patrick Andres | May 18, 2024

March 23, 2024, Charlotte, NC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) reacts. / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As it looks to its first year under new coach Mark Byington, Vanderbilt has landed a college basketball fixture.

Former Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard intends to transfer and play for the Commodores in 2025, he told The Field of 68 on Saturday afternoon.

Hoggard—a native of Coatesville, Pa.—spent four years with the Spartans. In 2023-24, his final season with Michigan State, he averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 assists per game. The Spartans advanced to the second round of the NCAA men's tournament, where they lost 85–69 to top-seeded North Carolina.

Vanderbilt is turning over a new leaf after firing coach Jerry Stackhouse on March 14. The Commdores hired Byington six days later, after he led James Madison to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Michigan State transfer G AJ Hoggard has committed to Vanderbilt, he told @TheFieldOf68

Hoggard averaged 10.7 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 3.1 RPG for the Spartans this year. pic.twitter.com/utO5IxtcvJ

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 18, 2024

After a 9-23 showing in '24—the fifth-worst record by winning percentage in school history—Vanderbilt returns just one player from a year ago. The Commodores last made the NCAA tournament in 2017 under coach Bryce Drew.