Welcome Back: 5‑Star 6‑Foot‑10 Combo Guard Returns to Michigan State Basketball, Confirms Final Two Years of Eligibility
East Lansing, MI — In a move that will shake up college basketball, elite 5‑star combo guard Marquis “Sky” Hollingsworth, standing a staggering 6-foot-10, has officially announced his return to Michigan State University (MSU) for the final two years of his NCAA eligibility. The National Player of the Year candidate, who flirted with the NBA Draft, will complete his tenure under head coach Tom Izzo, bringing a rare blend of size, skill, and veteran leadership back to the Spartans.
Hollingsworth, a Chicago native, first committed to Michigan State in the Class of 2023 after an awe-inspiring career at Simeon Career Academy. There, he averaged 27.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 4.2 blocks per game throughout his senior year, earning McDonald’s All-American honors and a consensus 5-star ranking. His time in East Lansing began promisingly—he was instrumental in MSU’s run to the Sweet 16 in his freshman season, averaging 13.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. But mid-season injuries and off-court distractions forced Hollingsworth to take a medical redshirt in his sophomore campaign.
Despite declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, Hollingsworth ultimately decided to withdraw and return to East Lansing. “Everyone kept asking me, ‘Why go anywhere else?’” Hollingsworth said at his press conference early Saturday. “This program, this community, Coach Izzo—they’re a part of me. I’ve still got unfinished business.”
Izzo was quick to express his excitement. “When Sky first stepped on campus, I said he could be one of the best big guards to ever play college basketball. We talked about it then, but the game slowed down on him—not now. He’s stronger, more patient, and his shot’s deadly. You can’t teach 6‑10 with that kind of guard skill.”
Hollingsworth’s decision brings immediate optimism for the Spartans. Last season, MSU finished 18–14 and missed the NCAA Tournament for only the second time under Izzo’s storied career. With Hollingsworth’s return, expectations have soared. The lanky phenom brings elite perimeter ball‑handling, a silky jumper, and lockdown defense, something MSU desperately missed. He is projected as a top‑10 pick in next year’s draft, but first, he’s focused on Team Green.
Teammates and fans alike are enthused. Junior center Malik Hughes called Hollingsworth “the final piece,” saying with a smile, “Sky’s like a seven-footer with point guard DNA.” At the local Tom Izzo Basketball Academy youth camp, kids wearing “#SWITCH SKY” T‑shirts chanted his name during drills—a testament to his growing legend.
Coming into Year 3, Hollingsworth has already wrapped up two early-season exhibitions in Canada and Europe, showcasing new back-to-back step-back threes and a slick spin-pass fadeaway. His improved endurance—credited to offseason work with renowned speed coach Lisa Tremblay—means he’ll log heavy minutes across the board, whether at point, off-guard, or even small forward.
In East Lansing, anticipation is palpably building. The Athletic Center’s season tickets sold out within 48 hours, and MSU alumni across the country have been phoning in, asking for pair of tickets or donating to scholarship funds in Hollingsworth’s name.
The question on every Spartan’s mind: with Sky back, can Michigan State recapture national prominence? If his razor-sharp court vision, improved consistency, and towering versatility are any guide, then yes—Sky is exactly what MSU needs to conquer the Big Ten and return to the Final Four.
