Michigan State Basketball: Aaron Henry’s return huge for 2020-21 title hopes

Aaron Henry decided to return for his junior season with Michigan State basketball which is huge for the Spartans’ title hopes.

August 3 has been circled on everyone’s calendars heading into the final months of college basketball’s offseason as draft preparations had been set for numerous prospects.

Michigan State had its sights set on this date because it’s the deadline for withdrawals from early NBA draft entrants. That meant that Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman were forced to decide by this date whether or not they were ready for the NBA or wanted one final year in East Lansing.

One of the two decided early on Sunday afternoon as Henry announced his plans to return for his junior season and gave glowing praise to Tom Izzo in the process.

Many have assumed that Henry just didn’t want to be at MSU because of the fact that he’d been so quiet in the NBA draft process and there were rumors that he was leaning toward leaving, but his words about Izzo changed that. He called him the best coach in the game and put his full trust in the Hall of Famer.

What return means for Michigan State basketball

Henry had an impressive sophomore season, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists from the wing position and he’s only going to get better.

This return is huge for the Spartans’ Big Ten and national title hopes in 2020-21. This means that the Spartans have experience on the wing and much-needed depth. It also gives Michigan State another guy who could handle the ball and bring it up the floor every now and then. He’s no point guard, but he’s comfortable with the ball in his hands.

Michigan State went from the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the Big Ten (with Luka Garza, Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu returnin to the Big Ten) to the potential favorite.

If Henry can improve his jumper and cut down his turnovers, we may be looking at a quick riser up the 2021 NBA Draft boards.

Now all we’re waiting for is a Xavier Tillman decision.