Tag: msu jaden akins

Watch MSU G Jaden Akins talk impressive season-opening performance vs. Monmouth

Watch MSU guard Jaden Akins talk his big season-opening performance in the Spartans’ win over Monmouth

Michigan State basketball opened up the regular season with a convincing victory over Monmouth on Monday.

The Spartans led the entire way in route to the 81-57 victory over the Hawks. Monmouth cut the Spartans’ lead to six points early into the second half, but from that point Michigan State built a lead that was comfortable until the final whistle.

Michigan State was led in scoring by guard Jaden Akins, who had a career-high tying 23 points night. Freshman Jase Richardson also reached double-digits with 10 points in his first career game as a Spartan.

Hear what Akins had to say about the Spartans’ victory over the Hawks in the video below:

Video is courtesy of SpartanMag

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MSU G Jaden Akins talks expectations, previews upcoming

Watch MSU guard Jaden Akins talk expectations for the Spartans this season

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins will need to have a big season if the Spartans are going to get back to contending for a Big Ten championship.

Akins is expected to step into a larger role in replacing production from guys like Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard from last year’s team. Akins met with the local media on Friday and discussed that expectation, and how he needs to reduce the amount of pressure he’s been putting on himself lately.

Michigan State basketball officially opens the regular season on Monday in a home non-conference matchup against Monmouth. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on Big Ten Plus.

Hear all of what Akins had to say during Friday’s media session in the video below.

Video courtesy of SpartanMag

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

MSU’s Jaden Akins tells LSJ’s Graham Couch he’s ‘ready’ for challenge in 2024-25

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins is ready to enter his new role as the Spartans’ No. 1 scoring option in 2024-25

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins is ready to enter his new role as the Spartans’ No. 1 scoring option in 2024-25.

Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal caught up with Akins this week at the Moneyball Pro Am event, where Akins stated he’s “ready” for the new challenge. Akins is expected to be the Spartans’ top scoring threat this upcoming season, which was typically held by Tyson Walker over the past two years.

Akins averaged 10.4 points per game this past season and is the leading returning scorer for Michigan State next year.

Click on the post below to read the column from Couch’s conversation with Akins:

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Tom Izzo provides statement on Jaden Akins entering NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility

Head coach Tom Izzo provides his thoughts on starting guard Jaden Akins entering NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility

Michigan State basketball could be losing a key starter off next year’s team.

Spartans guard Jaden Akins announced late last week that he would test the draft waters and enter his name into the NBA Draft while still maintaining his eligibility. This means Akins will have the ability to go through the draft evaluation process and return to Michigan State should he get feedback that he’s not happy with.

So what does head coach Tom Izzo think of Akins’ decision to enter the NBA Draft? He’s in full support of Akins’ choice.

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Izzo issued a statement after the Akins news broke, and said Michigan State will “celebrate the accomplishment” if the feedback he receives suggests he’ll be drafted in a spot best for him. On the flip side, if Akins were to return to Michigan State, Izzo said “we will immediately get to work for next season” and the Spartans “will take the information he gathers and use it to his advantage as he continues to develop.”

Check out the complete statement from Izzo below:

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Jaden Akins declares for NBA Draft, maintains his eligibility for possible return to MSU

A key piece for Michigan State basketball could be heading to the NBA earlier than we anticipated

A key piece for Michigan State basketball could be heading to the NBA earlier than we anticipated.

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins announced on Friday that he has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility. So this means he will seek NBA evaluation and determine if he’d like to leave his name in the draft or return to Michigan State for his junior season in 2023-24.

Akins averaged 9.8 points and 4 rebounds per game this past year. He started 25 of the 30 games he played in, and was expected to be one of the Spartans top players on next year’s loaded team.

If Akins were to leave, it would be a significant loss to Michigan State but not one they wouldn’t be able to manage since they are deep in the back court. If he returns, then Michigan State will clearly be one of the favorites to win the Big Ten and contend for a National Championship next year.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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Izzo says he’s ‘really not’ worried about any MSU player unexpectedly leaving

It sounds like Tom Izzo is confident his roster is finalized for the 2023-24 season

It’s been a great week for Michigan State basketball, with the news that Tyson Walker and Malik Hall would return for the 2023-24 season.

The news of both returning has created some buzz about a trickle-down effect on the rest of the roster. Most notably, if Jaden Akins would consider transferring away to a school that may be able to give him a more prominent role.

Well, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo put that possibility somewhat to bed during his end-of-season press conference on Wednesday. When asked about any sudden or unexpected changes to the 2023-24 roster, Izzo stated he’s “really not” worried about that.

Izzo did mention there are some guys on his team — notably A.J. Hoggard, Walker and Akins — that could test the NBA Draft waters. But at the moment none have entered their name into the draft process.

Should Michigan State’s roster be finalized and there are no other adjustments, the Spartans will enter next season as a preseason top 10 team and contender to win a National Championship.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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Graham Couch of LSJ analyzes Jaden Akins’ recent offensive rise, what it means for MSU

Jaden Akins is quickly becoming one of the Spartans’ most potent offensive threats

Jaden Akins is quickly becoming one of the Spartans’ most potent offensive threats.

Akins has averaged nearly 10 points per game this year for the Spartans, but has really taken his play to the next level in the last two games. Akins had 21 points in a narrow defeat at Iowa on Saturday and 17 points at Nebraska in a much-needed win on Tuesday night.

Akins combined with Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard makes a dangerous back court for the Spartans.

Click on the tweet below to see Graham Couch’s analysis on Akins’ recent strong play on the offensive end of the floor and what it means going forward for Michigan State:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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