While the 2024-25 Michigan State basketball season is in the books after a Big Ten title and Elite Eight appearance, some former Spartans have been making headlines. We've seen Tre Holloman and Xavier Booker transfer to new schools and Jaden Akins has also been in the news because he was invited to participate in the annual Portsmouth Invitational.
The Portsmouth Invitational is a chance for seniors to improve their NBA draft stock in front of scouts during a short tournament.
Akins accepted the invite and his first game was on Wednesday.
To no one's surprise, he played well.
Solid game from Jaden Akins tonight in the first of 3 games at the Portsmouth Invitational. pic.twitter.com/IQhHd4IkPw
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) April 17, 2025
In case you can't read the small print on the box score, Akins finished with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor and 2-for-5 from deep. He also had four rebounds, three assists, and three steals as those in attendance said he showed good two-way ability and he got out in the fast break which is something he was used to doing at Michigan State.
Jaden Akins: 10 pts - 4 rebs - 3 asts
— Andrew Canavos (@andrew_canavos) April 17, 2025
Steady two-way presence. Made shots, got out in transition, brought it defensively. A calming presence for a K&D Rounds squad that ended up with the W. @JadenAkins3 pic.twitter.com/snyc05wKrP
This is the kind of performance that's going to make NBA scouts take a second look at Akins and potentially invite him in for private workouts ahead of the draft. This just goes to show that he can hang with some of the top senior prospects in the draft class. His 10 points were good for third on the team and he also led his team in steals and was tied for second in assists.
We'll be keeping a close eye on Akins throughout the remainder of the tournament to see how well he does and hopefully he builds on this performance.