Michigan State’s 2024-25 season had all the hallmarks of a classic Tom Izzo campaign. After securing 30 wins against just seven losses, the Spartans lost two key guards, Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson, to the pros. With Richardson drafted by the Orlando Magic and Akins hitting free agency, Izzo again turns inward, betting on the players already in his locker room to fill the void.
Who Will Replace Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson in the Backcourt?
During a recent appearance on the CBS Sports show with Jon Rothstein, Izzo was asked who might carry the load this fall with Akins and Richardson gone. “I do think some of our freshmen could help us,” said Izzo. “Jordan Scott is a prolific shooter.”
Scott, a 6-foot-7 wing from Virginia, enters with the kind of positional versatility Izzo loves. He averaged over seven three-point attempts per game in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and hit 36.5 percent of them, earning his new coach’s “prolific shooter” label. While Scott will need to add muscle to handle the physical grind of the Big Ten, his instincts could allow his role to expand quickly, especially for a roster that just lost Richardson’s shot-making.
However, Scott is not the only newcomer expected to contribute. “Cam Ward is a beast,” Izzo noted. “He’s been really sharp so far, too.”
Ward, a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year from Maryland, brings muscle and interior efficiency. He scored 2,714 points in high school and dominated the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging over 25 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 62.7 percent. At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Ward is a classic Big Ten forward who embraces contact and controls the glass. His bruising style could make him an instant factor, and his footwork provides a solid foundation even as his shooting range develops.
How Much Improvement Can the Spartans Expect From Returning Sophomores?
Izzo’s optimism for the upcoming season is not just built on rookies. He also pointed to Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr as players poised for a leap in performance.
“[They] are going to make the biggest jump,” Izzo said of the returning sophomores. Fears started all 36 games as a freshman point guard, averaging 7.2 points and 5.4 assists while ranking third in the Big Ten in dimes.
Jeremy Fears Jr. on improving his shot this summer.
🎥 @TheSpartanMag pic.twitter.com/MK8jrD5PuS
— Michigan State Content (@msucontent) July 12, 2025
After shooting 39.7 percent from the field, Fears is expected to become a more reliable scorer. “He’s going to shoot it better,” Izzo predicted.
Meanwhile, Carr averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting an efficient 61.1 percent from the floor. He flashed his upside with an 18-point, nine-rebound performance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. “Carr’s gotten better,” Izzo continued. “Some guys just have to step up. That’s what happens when you don’t go out and get a guy, or a bunch of guys that have already proven themselves.”
Coen Carr and Cam Ward have been the perfect match at Moneyball this summer. A connection to keep an eye on for the upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/8HvcglFbeo
— Spartans Illustrated (@Spartans_Illo) July 23, 2025
The philosophy is pure Izzo: develop the roster, trust the system, and lean on continuity. He referenced his old friend, football coach Mark Dantonio, noting how winning is often about making players better rather than simply stacking raw talent. While the Spartans might not boast flashy incoming transfers, they have a pipeline for growth already in place.
With freshmen like Scott and Ward stepping in and sophomores like Fears and Carr expected to take on larger roles, the formula for success in East Lansing looks familiar. If those players develop as Izzo anticipates, things might just go the Spartans’ way this season, too.
