Michigan State’s Jaden Akins Shares Farewell After NCAA Tournament Exit

Michigan State had an impressive showing in this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight before falling to Auburn with a final score of 70-64.

The defeat was tough and disappointing for the Spartans, who struggled offensively—shooting only 34.4% from the floor and managing just 24 first-half points.

Guard Jaden Akins, who averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per game this season, is likely heading to the NBA draft. After four full seasons at Michigan State, the senior shared a farewell note on Instagram.

“Thankyou,” Akins simply wrote on his Instagram.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Akins isn’t the most efficient scorer, shooting 39.4% this season and 40.6% over his college career. However, he’s a reliable perimeter threat, hitting 38% of his threes this season and 42.2% from beyond the arc during the 2023–24 stretch.

Michigan State’s Jaden Akins scores on Niagara in the first half on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Michigan State’s Jaden Akins scores on Niagara in the first half on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Akins earned spots on both the All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defense teams this year. If he reaches the NBA, he could carve out a role as a 3-and-D option off the bench.

He clearly left a strong impression on head coach Tom Izzo, who has praised Akins as the team’s hardest-working player both on the court and in the classroom over the past two years.

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari.