Michigan State Basketball: Who will be the leader of the 2021-22 team?

In the year after Cassius Winston graduated, Michigan State basketball seemed like it was missing something. The Spartans had just lost one of its all-time greats and an elite leader along with the Robin to his Batman in Xavier Tillman. Those two were the best leaders Tom Izzo could have asked for and then COVID-19 hit and they were gone just like that.

Aaron Henry assumed that leadership role by default to start the 2020-21 season and he did a solid job of putting the team on his back but it seemed like that vocal side was lacking.

Cassius and Tillman had no problem holding themselves and their teammates accountable and Henry was a good leader but the team just didn’t have enough leadership outside of him. He tried to be the guy but couldn’t do it all on his own (Josh Langford also helped).

But now that Henry and Langford are gone, Michigan State will be tasked with finding those next leaders on the 2021-22 squad.

So who will it be?

Early candidates for Michigan State basketball leaders

With Langford, Henry, and Foster Loyer gone, it’s going to be tough to pinpoint the “leaders” of the 2021-22 team.

My early choices would have to be Gabe Brown, Tyson Walker, and Joey Hauser.

Brown has been working toward this for three years already and like Henry, he had an interaction with Izzo that made national headlines and it’s only going to make him better. He’s not a quitter and his teammates look up to him. He already had leadership qualities and hearing him come out in defense of Izzo recently really made him sound like a captain.

Walker might be new, but he’s heading into his third collegiate season and he’s playing the most important position on the roster. Point guards are natural leaders and he’s going to have to assume a leadership role whether he’s ready or not.

Lastly, I could see Hauser assume a leadership role after a disappointing first season with Michigan State. He could use last season as fuel and take a huge step in 2021-22.

Some darkhorse candidates to be leaders would be Malik Hall and Max Christie.

Michigan State should be in good hands next season with a handful of guys who could assume a leadership or captain role.