Jaden Akins
Akins with the Motor City Cruise in 2026 | |
| No. 10 – Motor City Cruise | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | NBA G League |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 25, 2003 |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
|
| College | Michigan State (2021–2025) |
| NBA draft | 2025: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2025–present |
| Career history | |
| 2025–present | Motor City Cruise |
| Career highlights | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Jaden Christopher Akins (born February 25, 2003) is an American basketball player for the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans.
Early life and high school
During his high school career, Akins attended Farmington High School, Ypsi Prep Academy, and Sunrise Christian Academy.[1] He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans over offers from schools such as Iowa, Missouri, Xavier, Georgia Tech, Michigan, and Mississippi State.[2][3]
College career
As a freshman in 2021–22, Akins averaged 3.4 points in 15 minutes per game.[4] On November 18, 2022, he recorded nine points, five rebounds and two assists in a victory against Villanova.[5] On January 19, 2023, Akins tallied 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block against Rutgers.[6] On February 25, 2023, he scored 21 points in a loss to Iowa.[7] In 2022–23, Akins averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.4 minutes a game.[8] On December 21, 2023, he recorded 22 points while hitting four threes in a victory against Stony Brook.[9] In the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Akins totaled 15 points and seven rebounds as he helped the Spartans advance beating Mississippi State.[10] During the 2023–24 season, he made 35 starts, where he averaged 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.[11][12]
Heading into the 2024–25 season, Akins was named one of the Spartan's team captains.[13] On November 4, 2024, he put up 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in an 81–57 win over Monmouth.[14] On November 7, Akins recorded ten points, six rebounds, and two assists in win over Niagara.[15] On January 12, 2025, he became the 57th player in Michigan State history to score 1,000 points in a win over Northwestern.[16] On March 2, 2025, Akins tallied 19 points and eight rebounds in a win over Wisconsin.[17]
Professional career
After going undrafted, Akins made his 2025 NBA Summer League debut with the Orlando Magic.[18]
On October 11, 2025, the Detroit Pistons added Akins to their roster on an Exhibit 10 contract.[19] On October 13th, he was waived.[20]
References
- ^ Austin, Kyle. "Michigan State commit Jaden Akins to finish senior season at Kansas prep school". MLive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Friend, Phil. "A priority recruit for Michigan State, Farmington's Jaden Akins has plenty of suitors, including Michigan". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Pouncy, Colton. "Why 2021 PG commit Jaden Akins can be the 'next great one' at Michigan State". The Athletic. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Friend, Phil. "In new role as go-to player, 'the sky's the limit' for Michigan State basketball's Jaden Akins". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Solari, Chris. "Michigan State basketball's Tom Izzo: No major issue with Jaden Akins' left foot". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Couch, Graham. "Jaden Akins is beginning to meet rising expectations – Izzo's and his own". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Couch, Graham. "Michigan State's offense is different when Jaden Akins is playing like this". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Solari, Chris. "Jaden Akins to enter NBA draft, can still return to Michigan State basketball". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Austin, Kyle. "Career night for Jaden Akins leads Michigan State over Stony Brook". MLive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Couch, Graham. "Michigan State's NCAA tournament win was redemption for roommates Jaden Akins and Mady Sissoko". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Couch, Graham. "Jaden Akins knows this is his chance to be MSU basketball's go-to guy. 'I'm ready.'". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Austin, Kyle. "Offseason evaluation: Path clear for Jaden Akins to become Michigan State's go-to scorer". MLive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Solari, Chris. "As Michigan State basketball's Jaden Akins crosses 1K point mark, he leads team by example". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt. "Michigan State's Jaden Akins shakes off shooting slump in huge senior debut". MLive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Couch, Graham. "For Jaden Akins, MSU's new main man, judgment day arrives. 'This is what you asked for.'". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Earegood, Connor. "At millennium milestone, MSU's Akins embracing role and pressure". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Wenzel, Matt. "Persistence pays off for Michigan State's Jaden Akins, who snaps slump when needed". MLive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ "MSU's Jaden Akins Makes NBA Summer League Debut". Michigan State Spartans On SI. July 14, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "The Pistons add Akins to their roster". www.usbasket.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Pistons Waive Jaden Akins". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.