Michigan State Basketball adds talented transfer point guard Tyson Walker
By Ryan Kay
Tyson Walker has chosen Michigan State Basketball to continue as a student-athlete and the Spartans picked up their first big-time transfer since Joey Hauser left Marquette to come to East Lansing. Many Spartan fans are thrilled by his announcement to play at Michigan State as he should have an immediate impact on Tom Izzo and the Spartans for next season.
Kansas, Maryland, and Texas among other big-time programs wanted Walker due to his production on the court this season and his ability to play great defense and distribute the ball to teammates.
As a sophomore, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game and was named the defensive player of the year in the Colonial Athletic Association conference. He also named to the All-CAA first-team as well and they are many reasons as a point guard, why he was successful at Northeastern.
Walker has flourished at Northeastern going back to his freshmen season. Last season he continued to develop and get better as a player and after his sophomore season decided to enter the transfer portal as many players have done thus far and many more are anticipated to do so in the near future. Michigan State who was unable to find consistent point guard play welcomes Walker who will be eligible to play next season according to NCAA transfer rules.
The Spartans due to Walker transferring to Michigan State may have some players enter the transfer portal. The Spartans currently had 14 scholarship players enrolled or signed for next season with the NCAA maximum being 13.
However, Jack Hoiberg who went on scholarship last season entered the transfer portal and will possibly play for his father who is the head coach at Nebraska. However, Hoiberg is not the only Spartan more than likely not to be playing in East Lansing next season. Even though his scholarship would not count against the scholarship limit for next season, Joshua Langford has strongly indicated that the game against UCLA was his last game as a Spartan.
There is a good chance as well that Aaron Henry enters the NBA draft and does not return for his senior season. Michigan State has three signed freshmen coming to East Lansing in Jaden Akins, Max Christie, and Pierre Brooks.
Right now it is pure speculation on who may or may transfer due to Walker coming to East Lansing but he will have a major impact as the Spartans need a true point guard that they have been missing since the departure of Cassius Winston.
As of right now, Walker, A.J. Hoggard, Foster Loyer, and Adkins could all possibly compete for the point guard spot and playing time assuming no one redshirts or transfers. Rocket Watts played point guard this season but more than likely he will be returning to the shooting guard position for the 2021-22 season. Whoever ends up starting at the point guard spot, Walker will more than likely get a lot of playing time or will end up being the starting point guard by the season’s end.