Michigan State basketball player to enter transfer portal
We have our first roster change for Michigan State men's basketball of the offseason: Sophomore guard Pierre Brooks has elected to enter the transfer portal after two seasons in East Lansing. He announced the news this morning via his Instagram account.
"I would love to thank MSU for the opportunity to be on an amazing program these last two years," Brooks wrote. "I have built a long lasting relationship with my teammates, coaches, and fans and I will always be grateful."
"Spartan Nation, I am thankful for everything that you guys have done and all the support that you have given me through these past 2 years. I want to also thank Coach Izzo for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to play for this amazing univerisity."
"With all of this being said, it it time for me to start a new chapter of my career. I will be entering the transfer portal and starting a new journey. - Uno out."
Brooks played in 30 games during the 2022-23 season, making five starts after Michigan State suffered injuries to Jaden Akins and Malik Hall early in the year. Brooks averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.3 minutes played per game.
While Brooks was heavily involved in the Spartans' rotation during the first two months of the season, his role decreased in late December and January as Big Ten play began in earnest. The sophomore struggled on the defensive end of the floor, which drew the ire of head coach Tom Izzo.
Izzo coaches his players hard, and Brooks was on the receiving end of several heated challenges from the 28-year veteran. Early in the year, Brooks was also benched for the entirety of a first half which Izzo said was the result of "tardiness".
As the season progressed, Brooks' seemed to lose confidence and that affected his jumpshot. The sophomore opened the season 22-for-54 on 3-point shot attempts through Jan. 3, a sizzling 40.7 percent from deep. However, he went on to miss his next 10 3-point attempts and would shoot just 2-for-20 from distance for the remainder of the year.
Brooks saw his role practically disappear by the end of February and into March, as he averaged just 3.6 minutes per game in Michigan State's final four regular season games and in the Big Ten Tournament. Brooks did not appear in any of the Spartans' NCAA Tournament games.
With Brooks' departure, Michigan State is down to 12 scholarship players with decisions upcoming for seniors Tyson Walker and Malik Hall, each of whom have access to one more year of eligibility. Graduate senior Joey Hauser is not expected to return, though he could apply for a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA.
