BREAKING: Malik Hall announces final decision on MSU return
Michigan State's men's basketball roster for the 2023-24 season appears to be set.
On Tuesday, one day after fellow senior Tyson Walker announced his return to MSU, senior forward Malik Hall shared via Twitter that he too will be a Spartan again next season.
Go green. Let’s do something great! pic.twitter.com/mP6pjdn0XG
— Malik Hall (@iammalikhall) April 11, 2023
"Michigan State has been my home for the last four years," Hall wrote in his social media post. "The experience I've had during my time as a Spartan has been incredible for me and my family. I've been part of a Big Ten Championship team, played in multiple NCAA Tournaments and loved playing home with the best fans in the country at the Breslin.
"Our Sweet Sixteen run was fun this year, but we fell short of our own expectations. Although I battled a foot injury most of this season, I worked hard to help us be the best team we could, but, I was left with a feeling of wanting more!
"I think Michigan State Basketball has the opportunity to be very special next season and I'm really excited to announce that I will be returning for my final season!"
After beginning the 2022-23 season in the starting lineup, Hall was sidelined with a stress-related foot injury after the first four games of the year. He would start only one more game all season, and missed a total of nine games.
In 23 games played, Hall averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.5 steals per game. His shooting numbers drastically declined during his senior year however, as he shot 43.6% from the floor and 32.7% from 3-point range in 2022-23 — down from 51.5% and 42.6%, respectively, from the year prior.
With Hall back in the fold for 2023-24, the Spartans now have 12 of 13 available scholarship slots filled. It is unlikely that head coach Tom Izzo will look outside the program to fill the final roster spot. Izzo will instead likely opt to grant the scholarship to one of MSU's walk-on players.
Here's a look at Michigan State's current scholarship allotment over the next four years:
MSU's at 12 scholarship players for next year. If no one hits the portal in the next month, this will be the 2023-24 roster. pic.twitter.com/WlueQ0VVkx
— Kyle Austin (@kylebaustin) April 11, 2023
After adding the nation's No. 3-ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports' team composite rankings, to an already experienced roster, Michigan State is poised to make a run at both Big Ten and national championships in 2023-24.
Various recent 'Way-Too-Early' Top 25 rankings had the Spartans slotted from No. 6 to No. 12 to begin next season.
Michigan State's incoming 2023 class includes five-star forward Xavier Booker (No. 8 overall player in the class), five-star point guard Jeremy Fears (No. 24), four-star forward Coen Carr (No. 53) and four-star forward Gehrig Normand (No. 104).
The influx of help at the forward position is great news for Michigan State. After the inevitable departure of graduate senior Joey Hauser, Hall is now the only forward on the roster with meaningful college experience. The senior will likely compete with Booker, Carr and Normand for a starting role and playing time next season.
The Spartans also have a logjam at the guard positions, with starters A.J. Hoggard, Jaden Akins and Walker alongside Fears and rising sophomore Tre Holloman all in the mix for minutes. Michigan State is pretty well set at the center position, with veteran Mady Sissoko and rising sophomores Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper vying for the starting spot next year.
Izzo will have several lineup options for various situations depending on MSU's needs. While balancing playing time and egos can be tricky, that's a good problem for the Spartans to have next season.
