Building a competitive Big Ten roster requires balancing veteran leadership with high-upside youth, a challenge Tom Izzo navigated thoroughly for the 2024-25 Michigan State basketball season. Following the departures of veteran backcourt fixtures and interior anchors, the Spartans restructured their rotation by blending key transfer portal additions, returning foundational pieces, and a touted freshman class. This squad was built to restore floor spacing, defensive grit, and frontcourt versatility in East Lansing.
Understanding how this roster came together means looking past simple names on a depth chart. We need to examine how specific skill sets fit into Izzo's system, how new additions filled critical production voids, and what positional battles shaped the final rotation on the floor.
Backcourt Dynamics and Ball Handling
The backcourt underwent a significant transformation following the exits of long-time contributors. The burden of orchestrating the offense fell heavily on returning guards who missed extended time previously or stepped into expanded leadership roles.
Point Guard Evolution
Jeremy Fears Jr. entered the 2024-25 campaign as a vital piece of the backcourt puzzle. After suffering a major foot injury midway through his true freshman season, Fears recovered to command the point guard duties. His elite passing vision and on-ball defensive intensity gave Michigan State a natural floor general who could dictate the pace of the game.
Backing up and sharing floor time with Fears was junior guard Tre Holloman. Holloman carved out a reputation as a knockdown perimeter shooter and a tenacious perimeter defender. His ability to hit shots off the bench during the previous season earned him trust from the coaching staff, making him an essential combo-guard option alongside the primary distributor.
Shooting Guards and Freshmen Impact
Jaden Akins returned as a senior leader on the wing, providing athletic slashing and defensive versatility. Akins served as one of the primary perimeter targets, drawing tough defensive assignments every night.
To bolster perimeter scoring, the Spartans added freshman guard Jase Richardson, son of former Michigan State standout Jason Richardson. Richardson brought elite athleticism, multi-level scoring craft, and high basketball IQ. Alongside fellow freshman guard Kur Teng—known for pure shooting mechanics and deep range—the freshman backcourt additions injected instant-offense capabilities that the program desperately needed.
Frontcourt Adjustments and Transfer Portal Additions
Michigan State's frontcourt needed an offensive upgrade, particularly in terms of consistent scoring from the forward positions and reliable rim protection in the paint.
Wing Scoring via the Portal
The coaching staff targeted proven production in the transfer portal, landing former Omaha standout Frankie Fidler. Fidler arrived in East Lansing after averaging over 20 points per game, providing the exact type of wing scorer and secondary playmaker the Spartans missed in previous seasons. His ability to attack closeouts, create space off the dribble, and shoot efficiently from beyond the arc altered how opponents defended Michigan State’s half-court sets.
Interior Depth and Center Rotation
In the post, the center position relied on a mix of size and physical screening. Carson Cooper returned with valuable starting experience, offering rugged screens and defensive positioning. To supplement the center spot, Michigan State secured graduate transfer Szymon Zapala from Longwood (formerly of Utah State). Standing at seven feet tall, Zapala brought legitimate vertical size and interior presence to contest opposing big men in the Big Ten.
Jaxon Kohler also provided interior scoring punch and elite rebounding instincts when healthy, rounding out a deep frontcourt rotation that allowed Izzo to match up against varying opponent styles.
Athletic Upside and Frontcourt Versatility
Beyond the established rotation pieces, the roster featured explosive athletes capable of changing the dynamic of a game in short stretches.
Coen Carr entered his sophomore season with jaw-dropping vertical athleticism. While raw offensively during his freshman year, Carr's ability to finish above the rim in transition and lock down multiple positions on defense gave the Spartans an energy spark.
Similarly, Xavier Booker stepped into a larger sophomore role in the frontcourt. As a former five-star prospect with a 6-foot-11 frame and perimeter shooting range, Booker represented the modern stretch-four archetype. Unlocking his consistency became a central theme for the team's offensive ceiling, as his ability to pull opposing centers away from the basket opened driving lanes for guards like Fears and Richardson.
You can read more about the program's history and athletic legacy directly on the Michigan State Spartans Athletics Official Site. Comprehensive team details are also cataloged on the Big Ten Conference Official Website.
Common Roster Construction Mistakes in Modern College Basketball
Building a sustainable contender in the transfer portal era involves avoiding several classic pitfalls:
- Over-relying on unproven transfers: Bringing in high-volume scorers from mid-major conferences without verifying how their defense and playmaking translate to physical power conferences often creates defensive liabilities.
- Neglecting locker room continuity: Chasing shiny new pieces every offseason can fracture team culture. Balancing incoming talent with multi-year program veterans who understand specific system demands remains mandatory.
- Ignoring floor spacing: Stockpiling athletic slashers who cannot shoot forces offenses to stagnate, allowing opposing defenses to pack the paint and neutralize ball screen actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the key incoming transfers for Michigan State in 2024-25?
The Spartans added forward Frankie Fidler from Omaha to provide elite wing scoring, and 7-foot center Szymon Zapala from Longwood to shore up interior size and rim protection.
What role did Jase Richardson play as a freshman?
As a highly touted four-star prospect and son of former MSU star Jason Richardson, Jase Richardson provided immediate backcourt depth, ball handling, and secondary scoring off the bench.
How did Jeremy Fears Jr. impact the team upon returning from injury?
Fears resumed point guard duties with elite distribution skills and defensive tenacity, giving the offense a true floor general to set the tempo after missing the second half of his freshman year.
How did Tom Izzo balance youth and experience on this squad?
Izzo anchored the lineup with veteran guards like Jaden Akins and portal additions like Fidler, while integrating high-ceiling underclassmen like Xavier Booker and Coen Carr into heavy rotation minutes.
