Hoiberg Takes Advantage of Scholarship Opportunity

by Elena Shklyar
For MSUspartans.com

It was last August, and the Michigan State men's basketball team had just finished a summer lifting session.

Head Coach Tom Izzo put redshirt junior guard Jack Hoiberg on the free throw line and turned up the pressure. There were big things on the line, even bigger than Hoiberg knew.

"Coach Izzo told me to shoot two free throws, and if I miss we have to do sprints," Hoiberg said. "We had just lifted, arms, so it's hard to go out and shoot a basketball after that. So, I missed it once and he gave me another chance.

"I made the next two and he said my big award was a scholarship. It was pretty cool."

When 2019 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Xavier Tillman decided to go to the NBA after the season, a scholarship spot opened up on the team for the 2020-21 season. Hoiberg, who played in 14 games as a redshirt sophomore, had high hopes that he could be awarded that open spot.

Izzo used a unique way to tell Hoiberg that his dream was coming true. He is now a walk-on who has earned a scholarship for his fourth season.

According to the NCAA, only the top 3.5% of high school athletes make it to play men's basketball in the NCAA. Only the top ONE percent make it to Division I. An even smaller number get awarded with a scholarship to play.

Those without athletic scholarships are considered walk-ons.

"My goal was to earn a scholarship," said Hoiberg. "That is something I always wanted to do, earn a scholarship to play a Division I sport."

According to Izzo, giving Hoiberg the scholarship for this year was a "no-brainer" decision. Interestingly, it was the second college scholarship Hoiberg had accepted in his life.

Hoiberg accepted a scholarship to play golf at the University of South Dakota before deciding that was not the route he wanted to go during his senior year at Hinsdale Central High School.

"Playing golf was something I was looking forward to but at the same time I always dreamed of playing college basketball," Hoiberg said. "I was having a good senior basketball season and got the opportunity to walk on at MSU, so I chose that."

Hoiberg's decision to go with basketball is understandable, as he is the son of Fred Hoiberg, the head coach of the Nebraska men's basketball team and former NBA standout. Despite the extensive basketball family background, Hoiberg explored a few different sports before deciding on basketball.

"I had no reservations whatsoever about Jack playing college basketball," Fred said. "My wife, Carol, and I encouraged Jack to pursue his passions and be his own man. Ultimately Jack wants to get into coaching and that's why he chose to play basketball over golf."

The Hoiberg's found themselves on opposite sides of the court on Feb. 20, 2020, when MSU and Nebraska played late last season. Fred expected to see his son, who normally was on the bench, for a post-game hug.

Izzo had other plans.

"I didn't know until about 30 minutes before the game and Coach Izzo pulled me into the locker room and told me he was going to start me against my dad's team," Hoiberg said. "It was crazy going from mostly playing at the end of games to starting a game."

Fred felt many mixed emotions when he learned that his son would be starting against his team.

"I was in the locker room when I got the numbers for their lineup and I thought who is No. 10?" said Fred, thinking like a coach and not a dad at the time. "It was Jack! I was happy for him but also trying to focus on executing our game plan. I have so much respect for Coach Izzo and we were thankful that Jack got that opportunity to start in front of so many family members. It's a moment that none of us will ever forget."

Izzo's choice was swayed by creating a moment for the Hoiberg family and rewarding him for his hard work.

"I called my assistants in and told them I was thinking of starting him last minute and they agreed," said Izzo. "I called my captains in and told them and they were like 100% for it. I think Rocket Watts was starting so I called him and explained it to him and he was 100% for it also. I think that should tell you a little bit about Jack and who he is as a person and teammate."

Any teammate or coach who has played with Hoiberg agrees that he is a special type of teammate.

"Jack is that teammate that everyone can count on and he shows up every day committed to doing his job and helping our team get better," junior guard Foster Loyer said.

And Jack hasn't just been on the sidelines during the 2020-21 season. When Loyer injured his shoulder late in the season and with the Spartans alternating point guards between Rocket Watts and A.J. Hoggard, Izzo turned to one of the most experienced players on the team, Hoiberg. He played key minutes in games against Michigan and in the Big Ten Tournament against Maryland. And Izzo knows he may use him in the NCAA Tournament.

"I felt comfortable turning to him in a couple of spots because he's one of the smartest guys we have on the team," Izzo said. "There were a couple of spots where I thought we needed to settle down and Jack gave us what we needed. He's been so valuable for us and he's been great for this program."

Hoiberg has been able to win three Big Ten Championships, go to a Final Four and play for a Hall of Fame coach all while growing into a leader on and off the court during his experience at Michigan State.

"I've seen how he has matured while being here," said Izzo. "I always say, if my boy can end up like Jack, that would be a gold mine."

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