With those departures, the Spartans needed to find guard depth in the transfer portal. They did not add a guard in their 2025 high school recruiting class, so finding one in the portal was imperative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After some searching, MSU landed on Miami transfer Divine Ugochukwu, who joined the Spartans over Texas Tech and USC. Fans were less than thrilled about the guard\u2019s lack of offensive production, but he has a chance to be a solid contributor in East Lansing this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, what is there to like about Ugochukwu\u2019s game?\u00a0<\/p>\n
First and foremost, Ugochukwu defends at a high level. You cannot be an Izzo guard and slack on that end of the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He is athletic and knows how to move his feet, so he will slow down opposing guards when he is on the floor. That is one of the most valuable traits for a guard like Ugochukwu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Divine Ugochukwu \/ Aidan Champion, Michigan State Spartans On SI<\/p>\n
Ugochukwu\u2019s<\/a> athleticism tends to get explosive at times. He can blow past a defender and rise up for a major slam if he wants to, so Coen Carr is not the only dunker on this MSU squad anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n His outside shot is a work in progress, but he appears to be dedicated to that work. As a true freshman, Ugochukwu did not shoot it well for the Hurricanes last season, but he has been working to improve his jumper.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ugochukwu<\/a> likely won\u2019t play major minutes for the Spartans this upcoming season, but he has the chance to be impactful when he does see the court. He can establish a floor for himself as a defender and facilitator.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mar 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes guard Divine Ugochukwu (99) with the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images \/ Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Jeremy Fears Jr. is this team\u2019s starting point guard, but Ugochukwu is a better option to spell him than fans realize. They may not like that he was not one of the top transfer guards available, but he will play an important role for this team.\u00a0<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be surprised to see Ugochukwu exceed expectations for the Spartans next season.<\/p>\n Keep up with all our Michigan State basketball content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation,\u00a0WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE<\/a>,\u00a0and be sure to share your thoughts on Divine Ugochukwu when you join our community group, Go Green Go White,\u00a0WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n