Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Denham Wojcik Makes His Last Year a Family Affair Playing for his Dad
3/4/2026 3:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Sometimes, you can come home.
For Denham Wojcik, the 2025-26 college basketball season has been somewhat of a homecoming for him.
Sure, he spent four years at Harvard as a member of its basketball team and graduated in 2025 with a business degree.
But when he had the chance to join a Michigan State men's basketball program as a player for his final season – he did not play as a senior at Harvard following off-season surgery – it was not an opportunity he was not going to pass up.
When he was younger, Denham spent plenty of time around the Spartans program when his father, Doug, was on Tom Izzo's staff as an assistant from 2003-05.
So, the chance to be a part of the program he grew up rooting for, to play for Coach Izzo – a father figure to him – AND to share the experience with his father, who is now the team's associate head coach, made it a pretty easy decision.
The younger Wojcik has been a contributor, playing more than five minutes per game and averaging more than an assist per game while serving as a reserve for starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
After sitting out his senior year at Harvard to rehab, Wojcik will get a Senior Day celebration on Thursday night at the Breslin Center, and he'll get to share it with his family.
"I think I'm really excited for (Carson Cooper) Coop and (Jaxon Kohler) Jax — specifically Nick (Sanders) and the guys who have been here for all four years," Wojcik said. "I mean, it's a heck of a grind. And then for myself, obviously my fifth year of college basketball, it'll be an emotional scene for myself, my family and just all of Spartan Nation. So I'm excited, most importantly, to go out and get a win and then end my last home game on a good note."
Since he played a high level of basketball in the Ivy League at Harvard, and had been around the MSU program, Wojcik was prepared for this season. But what he'll carry with him most is the chance he got to share it with his father.
"It's been fun," Wojcik said. "I mean, it's had its highs and lows. Obviously, father-son relationships – especially in the coaching world – can be a bit interesting at times.
"So I know when I mess up, and I hear it pretty loud. It's typically from him rather than Izzo, but sometimes Izzo as well, as we all know.
"Overall, highs and lows — just how it should be. The highs have been high and the lows have been low. You can't ask for anything more. That's what college basketball is."
Amidst the injuries he went through and the ups and downs during a college career, getting this year at Michigan State is something he won't forget.
"I try to see the big picture," Wojcik said. "For myself, coming off so many injuries, I'm just glad I'm healthy coming back for my fifth year.
"The fact that I've been able to play an entire season, stay healthy and basically be in every practice, practice every game and be ready to go — that's just a blessing in itself. I don't want to take that for granted."
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For Denham Wojcik, the 2025-26 college basketball season has been somewhat of a homecoming for him.
Sure, he spent four years at Harvard as a member of its basketball team and graduated in 2025 with a business degree.
But when he had the chance to join a Michigan State men's basketball program as a player for his final season – he did not play as a senior at Harvard following off-season surgery – it was not an opportunity he was not going to pass up.
When he was younger, Denham spent plenty of time around the Spartans program when his father, Doug, was on Tom Izzo's staff as an assistant from 2003-05.
So, the chance to be a part of the program he grew up rooting for, to play for Coach Izzo – a father figure to him – AND to share the experience with his father, who is now the team's associate head coach, made it a pretty easy decision.
The younger Wojcik has been a contributor, playing more than five minutes per game and averaging more than an assist per game while serving as a reserve for starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
After sitting out his senior year at Harvard to rehab, Wojcik will get a Senior Day celebration on Thursday night at the Breslin Center, and he'll get to share it with his family.
"I think I'm really excited for (Carson Cooper) Coop and (Jaxon Kohler) Jax — specifically Nick (Sanders) and the guys who have been here for all four years," Wojcik said. "I mean, it's a heck of a grind. And then for myself, obviously my fifth year of college basketball, it'll be an emotional scene for myself, my family and just all of Spartan Nation. So I'm excited, most importantly, to go out and get a win and then end my last home game on a good note."
Since he played a high level of basketball in the Ivy League at Harvard, and had been around the MSU program, Wojcik was prepared for this season. But what he'll carry with him most is the chance he got to share it with his father.
"It's been fun," Wojcik said. "I mean, it's had its highs and lows. Obviously, father-son relationships – especially in the coaching world – can be a bit interesting at times.
"So I know when I mess up, and I hear it pretty loud. It's typically from him rather than Izzo, but sometimes Izzo as well, as we all know.
"Overall, highs and lows — just how it should be. The highs have been high and the lows have been low. You can't ask for anything more. That's what college basketball is."
Amidst the injuries he went through and the ups and downs during a college career, getting this year at Michigan State is something he won't forget.
"I try to see the big picture," Wojcik said. "For myself, coming off so many injuries, I'm just glad I'm healthy coming back for my fifth year.
"The fact that I've been able to play an entire season, stay healthy and basically be in every practice, practice every game and be ready to go — that's just a blessing in itself. I don't want to take that for granted."
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Players Mentioned
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