NCAA Basketball: Ranking 2021 4-Star G Jaden Akins top 6 programs

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have possessed some strong individual pieces over the last several years but rarely had more than two ever on the same team. Last season’s combination of Reggie Perry and Nick Weatherspoon will morph into the Weatherspoon and Deivon Smith show in 2020. Both guards are significantly oriented towards scoring within the perimeter and Mississippi State lost what little they had of outside scoring this offseason.

Getting Akins on campus is very important for Coach Howland in 2021. Combining his talents with those of Smith, assuming he doesn’t have the stellar season I think he could have, would have a huge benefit for the Bulldogs. Like Smith, Akins is very strong setting up and attacking defenses to create his own shot. His shooting efficiency in all midrange and perimeter areas is something this team needs to add more dynamics to its lineup.

Mississippi State’s roster has many players filling specified roles on the court, indicating Akins would garner a large majority of the offensive shares with Smith. His tendencies on the offensive end are going to allow for a lot of cutting and post-action to succeed and develop naturally throughout the game. Adding Akins in Starkvegas will help push the Bulldogs to a similar season as 2019 (20-11) if not better.