Michigan State basketball is losing a key piece of its backcourt as combo guard Divine Ugochukwu has reportedly entered the transfer portal and committed to Louisiana State University, according to On3.com. After just one season with the Spartans, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard from Sugar Land, Texas, is heading to Baton Rouge with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ugochukwu's time in East Lansing was cut short by a season-ending foot injury suffered at Minnesota on Feb. 4, which required surgery. Prior to that, he had started 12 games for the Spartans, averaging 5.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He entered the transfer portal on April 22, signaling his intent to explore new opportunities.
His departure is a notable loss for head coach Tom Izzo, who had added Ugochukwu last May from Miami (Florida) to bolster the roster after losing Jase Richardson and Tre Holloman following the 2024-25 season. Despite the setback, the Spartans enjoyed a strong campaign, finishing 27-8 and advancing to the Sweet 16.
Izzo is also keeping a close eye on rising fourth-year junior Jeremy Fears Jr., who will participate in the NBA Scouting Combine in Chicago from May 10-17. The All-American point guard and first-team All-Big Ten selection is testing his draft stock while maintaining his college eligibility, adding another layer of uncertainty to Michigan State's backcourt depth.
To fill the gaps left by Ugochukwu and graduates Trey Fort and Denham Wojcik, the Spartans are bringing in a promising freshman class featuring four-star recruits: point guard Carlos Medlock Jr. and shooting guard Jasiah Jervis. Additionally, the team expects to return Jordan Scott as a sophomore and Kur Teng as a junior, while wing Kaleb Glenn is set to make his debut after an injury sidelined him for the 2025-26 season following his transfer last spring.
As Michigan State basketball navigates this offseason transition, fans will be watching closely to see how Izzo reshapes the roster for another deep tournament run. Stay tuned for more updates as the Spartans gear up for next season.