A.J. Hoggard enters the transfer portal; what it means for Michigan State

There was a mutual understanding that this past season would be point guard A.J. Hoggard’s last at Michigan State. But on Friday, Hoggard made that official, as he formally entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The news, which was confirmed by a team spokesperson, wasn’t a surprise, but it formally marks the end of Hoggard’s four-year Spartans career, which included two seasons as the team’s starting point guard. 

Coach Tom Izzo said last week during a radio interview that Hoggard wouldn’t be returning to Michigan State for a fifth season, an extra year of eligibility granted to him and others because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Hoggard hadn’t publicly disclosed what he planned to do after the Spartans’ season came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Hoggard played in last week’s Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, along with Tyson Walker. His participation signaled that the 23-year-old might be looking to go pro after playing four seasons in college. Izzo also hinted that might be the case for Hoggard.

“A.J. is looking to make a pro career,” Izzo said last week on Staudt on Sports on AM-730 in Lansing. “But he could go back to college; it wouldn’t be here. We have some younger guys and he has exhausted his (eligibility) and he’ll graduate. But I think he’d like to get into pro ball whether it be Europe, whether it be the G League. But nowadays everybody will look at college, too, depending on offers from different places.”

Hoggard, who also went through part of the NBA pre-draft process last year, appears to be open to coming back to college for another season to continue to develop his game.

Hoggard is a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention who had been part of the Spartans’ rotation since his freshman season. He’s started in 67 of 69 games over the past two seasons, averaging 11.8 points and 5.6 assists during that span. 

Hoggard’s junior season was his best campaign at Michigan State. He averaged 12.9 points, 5.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, while leading the Spartans out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. His play throughout his senior season wavered, but he still managed to post 10.7 points and 5.2 assists per game. 

A 6-foot-4 guard from Pennsylvania, Hoggard will finish his Michigan State career as only the seventh Spartan to have logged 1,000 points and over 500 assists during his career. He also helped lead the team to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023. 

Hoggard should receive a lot of attention in the portal, given the fact he’s one of the most experienced point guards available in the country. 

Meanwhile, Michigan State should be well-equipped to fill the void left by a departing Hoggard. The Spartans appear to be in good hands, with Jeremy Fears Jr. or soon-to-be junior Tre Holloman in line to take over the point guard roles next season.

Fears is a former McDonald’s All-America who played in 12 games last season before his season was cut prematurely after being shot in the thigh days before Christmas. Fears' last game, a dominant win over Stony Brook on Dec. 21, was arguably his best, as he dished out 10 assists (with only one turnover) and grabbed five rebounds in 21 minutes. Fears also had a 10-rebound game against Georgia Southern on Nov. 28.

Holloman, on the other hand, was the Spartans’ most improved player this past season, having raised his 3-point percentage by nearly 20 points, while shooting at a higher volume.  He had routinely provided a spark off the bench and would knock down timely 3s. He finished his sophomore campaign averaging 5.7 points and 2.4 assists in 19.7 minutes.

The Spartans are also welcoming freshman combo guard Jase Richardson, the son of Michigan State legend Jason Richardson. 

mkenney@detroitnews.com

@madkenney