Michigan State basketball: Projected starting 5 with Malik Hall returning

In what has become somewhat of a story on social media, Jaden Akins will have a big decision to make this offseason. Will he test the NBA draft waters and return or will he keep his name in the draft? Tom Izzo believes that he’s going to test and then come back for another year but honestly no one knows at this point.

My guess is that he’ll be back and he’ll be given more ball-handling duties because his strength isn’t just as a catch-and-shoot guy, but rather a playmaker who can create his own shot.

While Akins was a catch-and-shoot guy, for the most part, in 2022-23, I think his role needs to expand and the offense will end up flourishing. Defenses will have to respect his ability to create for himself and that will cause a lot of crashing when he drives the lane and a lot of open shooters around the perimeter.

Akins took a nice step in the right direction as a sophomore, averaging 9.8 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the floor and from deep. He also played some elite defense.

Another year of Akins on the wing would be elite, especially if he’s let loose.