Michigan State basketball PG AJ Hoggard declares for NBA draft

This offseason arguably has had the most question marks surrounding the Michigan State basketball program than ever before. What players will decide to leave the program? Will Tom Izzo decide to use the transfer portal? And who will return for another season at MSU?

These are just some of the big questions facing Michigan State in this extremely pivotal offseason. One of those questions may have been answered Saturday, and that is if AJ Hoggard will return for a fifth season or not.

On Saturday afternoon, two big announcements occurred regarding AJ’s future.

First, it was announced that AJ Hoggard will be participating in this year’s PIT basketball tournament. This tournament occurs before the NBA combine and gives players a chance to compete in front of both NBA and international scouts.

The usual participants in this event are guys who likely won’t make the NBA, but still want to move on to pro ball in other leagues across the world. This however wasn’t the only thing AJ announced on Saturday, as he also plans to enter the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

I think this was always the likely scenario for Hoggard, declaring for the NBA draft or even heading to a different pro league elsewhere. Hoggard seemed more than ready to move on from Michigan State and the program also seemed ready to start a new era with point guards like Jeremy Fears Jr. and Tre Holloman. So this news isn’t all that surprising. There is still the off chance he decides to return to Michigan State, but I find it more likely he will transfer to a different school if he does return to college.

Regardless of your feelings on Hoggard, he still should be remembered for the good he brought to this program. I know I’ll have no ill will towards him and will be rooting him on wherever he ends up. And I hope the rest of Spartan Nation does the same.