Former Michigan State basketball wing is back in the transfer portal

Mar 12, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Pierre Brooks II (21) brings the ball up court against the Providence Friars during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Pierre Brooks II (21) brings the ball up court against the Providence Friars during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It's always fun to check in on former Michigan State basketball players to see how they're doing in their new homes both at the collegiate level and in the pros.

If you're following along, there have been a number of guys who have transferred over the past couple of years from AJ Hoggard to Mady Sissoko to Pierre Brooks ahead of that 2023-24 season.

We saw Hoggard and Sissoko play well in their new homes this past season while Brooks' solid season flew under the radar because Butler wasn't exactly playing elite basketball. The Bulldogs had a losing record this past season and took part in the College Basketball Crown Tournament and lost to Boise State in the second round.

Brooks, however, had his best season as a college basketball player.

And now he's officially back in the transfer portal after spending the past two seasons playing for Thad Matta at Butler.

Brooks doesn't have any eligibility left, but if the NCAA changes its rules like some anticipate, he could get himself a fifth year. He came in with Max Christie and Jaden Akins in that 2021 recruiting class but never really earned the playing time he had hoped.

As a sophomore for Michigan State, he averaged 14.3 minutes per game, but put up just 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds, shooting just 33 percent from the floor and 32 percent from deep.

In his first year at Butler in 2023-24, he averaged a career-best 14.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, shooting 46 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep. He only improved as a senior this past season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists and he shot 47 percent from the floor but just 34 percent from deep. He did finish with a career-high (by 12 points) 82 percent mark from the free throw line.

We'll see if he's granted that fifth year of eligibility and if he is, we'll let you know where he ends up.