It’s hard to believe it’s already October and basketball season is already upon us. After suffering through six games of the football season, Spartan fans are ready to shift their attention to the hardwood.
While Tom Izzo’s team will be fun to watch and they’re ranked No. 22 to begin the season, some players from last year’s Big Ten title team are still trying to make NBA rosters. A couple of guys from that team have already made the move overseas as Frankie Fidler is in Latvia and Szymon Zapala is in Poland, but Jaden Akins is trying to make his professional debut somewhere.
Akins spent some time with Jase Richardson on the Magic’s NBA Summer League team, but he didn’t sign with anyone after that short stint over the summer.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Akins would be returning home.
That’s right, the Farmington, Mich., native is back in the state after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Detroit Pistons, meaning he’s likely to begin his pro career with their G-League affiliate.
The Detroit Pistons signed former Michigan State guard Jaden Akins to an Exhibit 10 contract, which means he'll most likely end up playing for the Motor City Cruise in the G-League this season. pic.twitter.com/9yhbBdqIJY
— Spartans Hoops (@HoopsSpartans) October 12, 2025
An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year minimum salary deal which allows the Pistons to choose if they want to add him to their G-League team or bring him to the active roster. This means he’ll begin his career with the Motor City Cruise, trying to earn a long-term deal with the organization.
This also means that he’ll be close enough for Tom Izzo to make quick trips to Grand Rapids to watch him play and show his support.
Akins is the latest Spartan to sign a professional contract — and he’s back home.