College hoops world left debating over AJ Hoggard's transfer to Vanderbilt: "Vandy got a stud" "May have chosen the worst" 

Point guard A.J. Hoggard, who has one year of eligibility remaining, reportedly chose to join the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday after four years in East Lansing with the Michigan State Spartans. He had entered the transfer portal and also declared for the 2024 NBA draft this offseason.

The Commodores went 9-23 last season, but they brought in James Madison coach Mark Byington, who led the Dukes to their first win in the Big Dance since 1983 and secured a 32-win season.

College hoops fans on Instagram reacted to the move, with some praising the Commodores for managing to convince him to join while others thought that A.J. Hoggard chose the wrong program to end his career with.

CBK Report IG comments

CBK Report IG comments

CBK Report IG comments

Tom Izzo discusses how A.J. Hoggard intends to pursue career

Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo signaled the end of A.J. Hoggard's Spartans' career during an interview on "Staudt on Sports," talking about why the point guard would not return to the program after he entered his name into the 2024 NBA draft.

"A.J. is looking to make a pro career," Izzo said. "He could go back to college, but it wouldn't be here. I think it's, we have some younger guys and he has exhausted his, and he'll graduate."

A.J. Hoggard played in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April which is a predraft tourney reserved for prospects who have played a full college career.

The point guard averaged 10.7 points on 40.7% shooting, including 34.7% shooting from beyond the arc, 3.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists last season while leading the Spartans (2-15) to the second round of March Madness.

Izzo discussed Hoggard's hopes for the future in terms of his career prospects.

"I think he would like to get into pro ball," Izzo said. "Whether that be Europe, whether that be the G League. But nowadays, everybody will look at college, too, depending on offers from different places."

Last year, Hoggard also entered his name into the NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to college basketball. After returning to college basketball this year, there will be no repeat next year after exhausting his extra year of eligibility granted to student-athletes by the NCAA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That might lead to an international pro career or a spin in the G League as predicted by his former Spartans coach.

A.J. Hoggard made history in East Lansing by finishing his Michigan State career as only one of just three players to have registered 1,000 points, 600 assists and 300 rebounds.