Michigan State guard Jaden Akins declares for 2023 NBA Draft
Michigan State sophomore guard Jaden Akins has declared his intentions to enter the 2023 NBA Draft, while maintaining his college eligibility with the Spartans.
Akins announced the news on Friday via Instagram.
"Dear Spartan Nation, over my two years at Michigan State it had been an incredible journey," Akins wrote his his social media post. "I've grown both on and off the court. I've developed my skills, while also learning how to overcome adversity. Wearing the Green and White has been a dream come true.
"My goals also extend beyond Michigan State. It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the highest level. With that being said, after a discussion with my family I have decided to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility.
Akins may not be the only Spartan to enter their name into the draft process. College players have until April 23 to submit their names into the 2023 NBA Draft, and those who elect to do so while maintaining their collegiate eligibility have until May 31 to withdraw their name and return to their schools.
This allows fringe draft prospects to work out for NBA franchises, sit down with team officials for feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their game and get an idea of if/where they would potentially be drafted.
MSU head coach Tom Izzo acknowledged that Michigan State could have a couple guys test the NBA waters earlier this spring.
“I don't know if I'll have some — probably — that I'll put their name into the draft. I think that's the popular thing to do now,” Izzo said. “But I think in general, we should have a pretty solid group coming back with a great group of recruits coming in. And you put those two things together, and it's a lot of optimism for next season.”
After undergoing foot surgery prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, Akins came off the bench for Michigan State during the first four games of the season. After tweaking the repaired foot in the fourth game of the year against Villanova, Akins sat out the next four games.
Upon returning to the lineup, Akins started in the final 25 of the final 26 games of the season. He averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.5 minutes per game for MSU. Akins improved his shooting between his freshman and sophomore season, converting on 42% from the floor, 42.2% from 3-point range and 71.2% from the free throw line.
Michigan State has had a strong offseason thus far, with seniors Tyson Walker and Malik Hall both electing to return for a fifth season of college basketball. Those returnees, plus the nation's No. 3 recruiting class for 2023, bolster the Spartans' roster for a potential championship run in the Big Ten and nationally.
Akins acknowledged those high expectations in his Instagram announcement.
"There is still so much more I would love to accomplish," he wrote. "Next season could be special for Spartan Basketball and that motivates me to get better each and every day."
While a departure by Akins would deal a blow to Michigan State's roster, the Spartans would maintain solid depth and talent at the guard positions. Rising senior A.J. Hoggard will join Walker in the starting lineup, while rising sophomore Tre Holloman and incoming freshman Jeremy Fears will provide MSU with two good options of its bench.
From the 2022-23 roster, the only other departures so far have been starting power forward Joey Hauser (eligibility limit) and reserve wing Pierre Brooks (transfer).
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