Michigan State basketball: Jaden Akins has surgery, shouldn’t miss opener

Michigan State basketball’s soon-to-be-star Jaden Akins just underwent foot surgery and is expected to miss four weeks.

Jaden Akins is expected to be one of Michigan State basketball’s best players this season.

But he has to stay healthy first.

According to reports, he just underwent surgery to repair a stress reaction in his foot. He is expected to miss four weeks, but he should be back in time for Michigan State’s opener.

You never like to hear about these types of injuries, but it’s good that this happened now instead of during the season when Michigan State needs him most. His four-week absence would take him to mid-October and the season-opener is Nov. 11 against Gonzaga. Michigan State also has two exhibition games on Nov. 1 and Nov. 7, but I could see Tom Izzo holding Akins out of at least one.

The time between his four-week recovery until the season’s start will be utilized to get Akins back into playing shape and more comfortable on that foot.

Michigan State needs Akins this season as he could wind up in the starting lineup and he could be one of college basketball’s biggest breakout stars. He has all the potential to be a star on the wing and he’s a top-tier defender. He averaged 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.8 minutes last year.

The Spartans need to stay healthy this season as well because the depth just isn’t there like it has been in years past. One injury could derail the whole season.

Let’s hope Akins stays healthy after this surgery.