# Michigan State basketball: A.J. Hoggard enters transfer portal
## The veteran point guard’s departure marks the end of an era in East Lansing
In a move that sent ripples through the Big Ten, Michigan State senior point guard A.J. Hoggard officially entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on April 26, 2024[reference:0]. While not entirely unexpected—head coach Tom Izzo had hinted earlier that month that Hoggard would not be returning to the Spartans—the announcement still carried significant weight[reference:1]. Hoggard, who had spent four seasons in East Lansing, departed as one of the most accomplished point guards in program history[reference:2].
## A career defined by growth and milestones
A two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Hoggard finishes his Spartans career as one of only **seven players in Michigan State history** to record over 1,000 points and 500 assists[reference:3]. In total, he appeared in 131 games, starting 83 times, and averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per contest[reference:4].
His junior campaign (2022-23) was his finest: Hoggard averaged 12.9 points, a team-leading 5.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 80.4% from the free-throw line, guiding the Spartans past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament[reference:5][reference:6]. As a senior (2023-24), he started 34 of 35 games, leading the team with 5.2 assists per game while averaging 10.7 points and 3.1 rebounds. He also ranked fourth in the Big Ten in assists per game and led the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.45:1 in league play)[reference:7].
Despite a season that saw Michigan State struggle at times, Hoggard produced memorable performances, including a 23-point effort in a win over No. 10 Illinois and a 17-point perfect-shooting night in the Big Ten Tournament against Minnesota[reference:8].
## A clean break: Izzo signals the end
The decision to enter the portal was not a shock to those close to the program. During a radio interview earlier in the month, Tom Izzo made it clear that the relationship had run its course[reference:9]. The writing had been on the wall for weeks, and Hoggard’s entrance into the portal simply formalized what had already been decided in principle[reference:10].
ESPN noted at the time that Michigan State was well-positioned to move on without him, thanks to the emergence of younger guards. The Spartans already had Jeremy Fears Jr.—assuming a full recovery from a December 2023 surgery—along with top-25 recruit Jase Richardson entering the fold to fill the void[reference:11].
## A sought-after graduate transfer
As a graduate transfer, Hoggard had one year of eligibility remaining and immediately became one of the most coveted point guards on the market[reference:12]. He participated in the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament that spring, a showcase for NBA prospects, indicating he was weighing both professional and collegiate options[reference:13].
## What came next: A final chapter at Vanderbilt
Less than a month after entering the portal, Hoggard found his new home. On May 18, 2024, he announced his commitment to the Vanderbilt Commodores on *The Field of 68* YouTube channel[reference:14]. He chose new head coach Mark Byington’s program over a final five that included USC, Georgia, Washington, and Florida—all of whom had made strong pushes[reference:15].
In his lone season in Nashville (2024-25), Hoggard started 31 games and averaged 9.6 points while dishing out 4.3 assists per contest[reference:16].
## From Spartan to pro
Following his year at Vanderbilt, Hoggard declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He went undrafted but signed as an unrestricted free agent with Raptors 905, the G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, where he continues his professional career[reference:17].
