The Michigan State basketball roster for the 2024-25 season carried heavy expectations as Tom Izzo retooled his squad following key departures. Blending seasoned veterans with dynamic young talent, the Spartans aimed to reassert their dominance in the Big Ten. Understanding how this roster was constructed, how the depth chart shook out, and which key players drove the team's success provides a clear picture of Tom Izzo's tactical approach during this campaign.
Building a competitive roster in modern college athletics requires balancing high school development with tactical additions. For Michigan State, the 2024-25 team relied heavily on backcourt orchestrators returning from injury, impactful transfer portal acquisitions like Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala, and explosive frontcourt sophomores ready to make a national leap.
2024-25 Michigan State Basketball Roster Overview
Tom Izzo's roster construction centered on establishing a versatile backcourt and finding interior stability. The squad featured a mix of experienced seniors, hard-nosed juniors, and high-ceiling underclassmen.
The Backcourt Engine
- Jeremy Fears Jr. (G, R-Fr.): Returning from a devastating foot injury that cut short his promising freshman campaign, Fears stepped straight into the primary point guard role as the team's floor general and emotional heartbeat.
- Jaden Akins (G, Sr.): A veteran two-way guard whose elite athleticism, perimeter defense, and crucial scoring ability made him a fixture in the starting lineup.
- Tre Holloman (G, Jr.): A disruptive defensive catalyst and reliable secondary playmaker who provided high-energy minutes off the bench and spot-starting capability.
- Jase Richardson (G, Fr.): A highly touted freshman combo guard whose scoring instincts and playmaking pedigree added instant offensive punch to the second unit.
- Kur Teng (G, Fr.): A sharpshooting perimeter threat recruited to stretch opposing defenses with consistent catch-and-shoot prowess.
Frontcourt and Wing Depth
- Frankie Fidler (F, Sr.): Transferred in from Omaha as an established collegiate scorer, providing much-needed wing scoring, floor spacing, and veteran poise.
- Xavier Booker (F, So.): Possessing rare physical gifts and a 6-foot-11 frame, Booker entered his sophomore season expected to convert immense raw potential into consistent frontcourt production.
- Coen Carr (F, So.): Known across college basketball for jaw-dropping athletic dunks and ferocious weak-side shot-blocking.
- Jaxon Kohler (F, Jr.): A skilled low-post scorer and high-IQ rebounder who anchored interior possessions when healthy.
- Carson Cooper (C, Jr.): A physical, traditional center tasked with setting bone-crushing screens, protecting the paint, and battling opposing Big Ten bruisers.
- Szymon Zapala (C, Sr.): A 7-foot transfer via Utah State who provided immediate size, rim protection, and physical presence in the middle.
Projected Depth Chart and Rotation Strategy
Tom Izzo is notorious for demanding defensive accountability before handing out heavy minutes. The 2024-25 rotation balanced starters who could play heavy loads with bench units designed to maintain defensive intensity.
Point Guard and Shooting Guard
Jeremy Fears Jr. locked down the starting point guard spot, utilizing his exceptional court vision to run Izzo's sets. When Fears needed a breather or when Michigan State wanted a two-guard lineup, Tre Holloman stepped in to apply relentless on-ball pressure. At shooting guard, Jaden Akins logged starter minutes, while freshman Jase Richardson carved out a substantial role as an elite spark plug off the bench, frequently closing games due to his poise.
Small Forward and Power Forward
Frankie Fidler claimed the starting small forward position, serving as a reliable offensive safety valve on the wing. Gehrig Normand and Kur Teng provided depth on the perimeter. In the frontcourt, Xavier Booker and Jaxon Kohler split high-leverage minutes at the four. Coen Carr operated as an explosive change-of-pace forward, instantly shifting the game's momentum with transition sprints and verticality.
Center
The center rotation featured a battle between Carson Cooper's physical screen-setting and defensive positioning, and Szymon Zapala's sheer 7-foot stature. Izzo frequently rotated his center based on matchups, utilizing Cooper against mobile offenses and Zapala against traditional back-to-the-basket interior scorers.
Season Outlook and Tactical Identity
Entering the 2024-25 season, analysts questioned whether Michigan State could overcome the shooting deficits that plagued previous iterations. The additions of Frankie Fidler and Jase Richardson directly addressed that need, providing legitimate perimeter threats alongside Jaden Akins.
Defensively, the Spartans maintained their signature toughness. With Jeremy Fears Jr. healthy, the team's ball pressure disrupted opposing sets at the point of attack, funneling drivers into shot-blockers like Xavier Booker and Carson Cooper.
The Michigan State University Athletics portal highlighted a roster built for resilience. Playing in the grueling expanded Big Ten conference required depth, and Michigan State possessed a legitimate 9-to-10 man rotation capable of absorbing foul trouble and injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the key incoming transfers for Michigan State in 2024-25?
The Spartans welcomed forward Frankie Fidler from Omaha, who brought high-level scoring efficiency to the wing, and 7-foot center Szymon Zapala from Utah State to anchor the paint.
What role did Jeremy Fears Jr. play after returning from injury?
Fears stepped immediately into the starting point guard role. As the primary distributor, his decision-making and defensive tenacity set the tone for the entire team.
How did the freshman class impact the rotation?
Guard Jase Richardson earned significant minutes and instant-offense accolades, while Kur Teng provided perimeter shooting depth. Both freshmen immediately contributed to the regular rotation.
What was the biggest strength of the 2024-25 Spartans squad?
Backcourt depth and defensive versatility were the team's primary strengths, allowing Izzo to mix and match lineups depending on offensive pacing and defensive matchups.
