This offseason hasn't gone as Tom Izzo or Michigan State had planned so far. The Spartans lost. Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker, and Gehrig Normand to the transfer portal and then on Tuesday, Jase Richardson announced that he would be headed to the NBA draft and not expected to withdraw.
That news about Richardson was the final gut punch that the team got and hopefully there is no more attrition because the roster for next season currently has just eight guys.
You read that right, the 2025-26 roster currently has just eight scholarship players with Jeremy Fears Jr., Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr, Carson Cooper, Kur Teng, and Jesse McCulloch coming back and Jordan Scott and Cam Ward coming in with the 2025 class.
There's a lot that needs to happen from now until the start of the 2025-26 season if Michigan State is going to defend its Big Ten title and make it back to the Elite Eight (and further).
Before we get into all the roster construction ideas and potential portal replacements, I thought it would be the start of the healing process if we looked at some of the best fan reactions to Jase's decision.
Let's kick things off with probably my favorite reaction.
“Jase Richardson we’re good. Nick Sanders is here.” pic.twitter.com/NFMotBbUih
— Brenton Kelley (@CBSBrenton) April 8, 2025
Thank you, Jase Richardson💚 pic.twitter.com/R77PwxdoMr
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) April 8, 2025
From the man himself. Go be great, Jase!!! pic.twitter.com/e5Gm9TLznG
— MSU Chief of Propaganda (@OdellBretthamJr) April 8, 2025
It was at this very moment…
— andrewtalkshoops (@andrewtalkshoop) April 8, 2025
Jase eliminated any hopes we see a sophomore season. pic.twitter.com/ymw1d4SQJx
No more Jase pic.twitter.com/7th6joMVN8
— Magic’s Johnson (@magics_johnson1) April 8, 2025
Welp there it is. Incredible year. MSU doesn’t win the Big Ten title or make an E8 without him. One of the best FR seasons relative to expectations we’ve ever seen in the Green and White. Thanks for the memories Jase 🙏🏻🙌🏻 https://t.co/T4vNF53TxR
— DK (@SpartanHoops_DK) April 8, 2025
Jase is gone? #Kur is on the clock.
— msu trustees (@msutrustees) April 8, 2025
It’s officially #TengTime ⏰⏰ pic.twitter.com/OQfWSZ6LSg
If you said you wouldn’t do the exact same thing in Jase Richardson’s position you’d be lying lol. He’s gonna be a dawg
— gio🦁 (@Clapped_Dre) April 8, 2025
Jase entering the draft as expected. Nothing I would’ve loved more than a Sophomore season from him at MSU. Would’ve been the best player in the program in a while but this decision makes sense. He had an incredible freshman season and will have a good pro career.
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) April 8, 2025
Massive…
jase declared pic.twitter.com/0KNQ47QcQz
— 🃏 (@DBillius) April 8, 2025
Obviously the fanbase is sad and also thrilled for Jase as he gets to go chase his dream of playing in the NBA. Would we all have liked it if he went the Miles Bridges, Gary Harris, or even Jason Richardson route and stayed two seasons before going to the NBA? Absolutely, but this is the right deicision.
Jase Richardson has a lot of fans in East Lansing for life.