EAST LANSING – On Friday afternoon, sophomore guard Jaden Akins declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

The Farmington, Mich. native averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and led the Spartans in steals with 1.2 per game. Akins shot 42% from the field and 42.2% from the three-point line.  

Akins posted to his Instagram account to announce his decision.

The sophomore guard will look to receive NBA feedback from scouts and insight during the draft process, and maintain eligibility to return to MSU next season if he chooses. 

MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo released a statement shortly after Akins declared.

“Jaden Akins has grown immensely in two short years, and has worked hard to put himself in this position. It’s no secret that he has dreams of playing in the NBA, and so in our discussions after the end of the season, we’ve discussed him entering the draft,” said Izzo.

“I’ve been gathering information for him already, and we will continue to support him however possible.”

“If after the process, he’s in a position to be drafted in a spot that’s best for him, we will celebrate his accomplishment. And if he decides that returning is best for his long-term career, we will immediately get to work for next season,” said Izzo.

“We will take the information he gathers and use it to his advantage as he continues to develop. I’ve been incredibly pleased by what Jaden has done already, but I’ve got much larger goals for him. And I know there’s much more he’d like to accomplish as well,” Izzo said.

The NBA Draft will take place on June 22 at the Barclays Center in New York City.