Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons Jaden Akins will pick Spartans

3. History of point guard success at MSU

If you’re a young point guard and Tom Izzo is trying to recruit you, there’s a good chance the Spartans are going to make your final cut.

We hear all the time about how Izzo doesn’t develop elite point guards and that’s just not a fair shake because he usually gets guys that fit his system. Rarely has he had incredibly athletic point guards like Jaden Akins, but when he has, they’ve excelled.

Just look at what Rocket Watts was able to do in limited time at point as a freshman and many already believe he’s Big Ten player of the year material. Kalin Lucas was a heck of an athlete and he was a top NBA draft prospect before his Achilles injury. And Keith Appling, too, was destined for the NBA before a wrist injury derailed his senior season and he was never the same.

Now look at the success at the position over the years with guys like Denzel Valentine, Lucas, Cassius Winston, Mateen Cleaves, Drew Neitzel, Travis Trice and Appling. Two of those guys were drafted, another is set to be drafted and two more would have been drafted if not for injuries.

Akins just needs to look at the fact that Izzo hands the keys to the car to the point guard and lets them take over, if he feels they’re capable. He would surely do this with Akins.