BREAKING: Michigan State's Mady Sissoko Enters Transfer Portal
After four seasons in East Lansing, it appears that Michigan State men's basketball senior center Mady Sissoko will use his final year of collegiate eligibility elsewhere. On Thursday, Sissoko entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, an MSU spokesperson confirmed with Detroit Free Press reporter Chris Solari.
Sissoko averaged 3.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 35 games played for the Spartans in 2023-24, making 26 starts this past season. Head coach Tom Izzo rotated the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder with fellow big man and sophomore Carson Cooper early in the season. Jaxon Kohler, another sophomore, entered the rotation upon returning from foot surgery midway through the season.
While all three centers had their moments, Michigan State was never able to nail down a consistent starter throughout this past season, a source of frustration among the fanbase. Freshman Xavier Booker, a former five-star recruit, saw his minutes increase towards the end of the season, but his slight frame and inconsistent defense and rebounding made Izzo hesitant to overplay Booker.
In his career, Sissoko appeared in 124 career games for Michigan State, totaling 348 points, 461 rebounds and 65 blocked shots for the Green and White. Sissoko's departure opens up another scholarship spot for Izzo, who is expected to add a big man out of the transfer portal this offseason.
Michigan State loses fifth-year senior shooting guard Tyson Walker, the Spartans' leading scorer, and fifth-year senior power forward Malik Hall this offseason, both of whom have exhausted their collegiate eligibility. MSU awaits a decision from senior point guard A.J. Hoggard, who has one year of eligibility remaining but tested the NBA Draft waters an offseason ago.
Assuming Hoggard leaves Michigan State, and junior wing Jaden Akins returns for his senior season, the Spartans will have two open scholarships available if the rest of the roster remains in East Lansing. Izzo has indicated his intention to explore the transfer portal for a small forward this offseason as well.
In next season's backcourt, MSU is expected to return Akins, rising junior Tre Holloman and rising sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr. while adding four-star freshman guards Jase Richardson (No. 30 overall) and Kur Teng (No. 49). In the frontcourt, the Spartans return Cooper, Kohler, Booker, rising sophomore Coen Carr and redshirt freshman Gehrig Normand, while adding three-star power forward Jesse McCulloch (No. 164).
The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spartan Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.
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