AJ Hoggard appears ready to walk away from Michigan State basketball.
The senior point guard has committed to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, tournament officials announced Saturday, suggesting Hoggard will turn pro despite having one season of college eligibility remaining. There is. Madi Sissoko, who entered the transfer portal on April 4, also avoided a fifth year at MSU that would have been allowed through an NCAA waiver during the pandemic starting with her 2020-21 freshman season.
Hoggard tested the NBA draft process after last season but decided to return to the Spartans. He has not publicly announced his plans, saying that after MSU's season is “not set in stone yet.” However, the conference said that for players still eligible for COVID-19 exemptions, accepting one of the 64 slots for the 70th Pre-NBA Draft event would “adversely impact” their return to college. “There is a possibility,” he recommended.
“Therefore, before accepting an invitation to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, any college athlete who wishes to keep the option of returning to college open for the 2024-25 season should consult and speak with the head coach and the institution's compliance department. “How participation in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament will affect remaining NCAA eligibility,'' the tournament's website states.
Former MSU guard Tyson Walker committed Tuesday to compete in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which begins Wednesday and runs through next Saturday in Portsmouth, Virginia.
The early entry deadline for the NBA Draft is April 27, but Hoggard, 23, has already completed his fourth year in college. The deadline for the NCAA to withdraw from the NBA draft process and return to school for the 2024-25 season is 10 days after the conclusion of the pre-draft scouting combine, scheduled for May 13-19 in Chicago.
Hoggard, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound native of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 28.7 minutes this winter. The Spartans lost to top-seeded North Carolina 85-69 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, ending the season with a 20-15 record. Hoggard scored three points on 1-of-10 shooting, four assists, three rebounds, and three turnovers in the loss to the Tar Heels.
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This winter, Hoggard made 40.7% of his shots overall, 34.7% of his 3-point attempts and 78.7% of his free throw attempts. He also averaged 1.4 steals and 1.8 turnovers, and MSU was plus-162 in scoring with him on the floor.
As a junior who led MSU to the Sweet 16 in 2022-23, it was the only time in Hoggard's four seasons that the Spartans made it past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament — he averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.9 points. Recorded an assist. In 131 career games at MSU, Hoggard averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 41% overall and just 30.3% from 3-point range.
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Even without Hoggard, MSU looks set to take over the point guard spot next season as freshman Jeremy Fiers Jr. and sophomore Tre Holloman return, and Jace Richardson joins as an incoming freshman. . However, Fiers is recovering from a gunshot wound to his left leg sustained in December, and he said last month that he would not be able to return to full basketball activities until the summer.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com.follow him @chrysolari.
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