“When you have a vote among your players to determine captains, it’s always interesting to see who the team looks to and in this case, I think our team selected three players who are true leaders in our program,” Izzo said in a release.

Langford decided to return for one more season at Michigan State after a devastating injury that derailed most of his junior year and all of last year. The senior guard from Alabama is just one of six former players at Michigan State who will be a team captain for three consecutive years.

“It means a lot,” Langford said in the release.  “Not everyone gets the opportunity to play at a program like Michigan State. Just to have the opportunity to play here, it’s an honor and a blessing. To look at the names of all these different captains and great leaders from his program, it’s a great honor and another result of God’s Grace.”

Izzo now has a long tenured captain back on his team to help fill the void after star point guard Cassius Winston graduated and is off to the NBA.

“Josh Langford is one of the most disciplined players we’ve ever had here and it’s a testament to him that he is a captain for his third-straight year,” Izzo said. “It’s a special type of person to command that respect from his team and Josh has earned that.”

Henry decided to return to East Lansing after entering his name into the NBA Draft earlier this year to test the waters. Entering his junior season, Henry will be a key contributor for Izzo in the locker room and on the court.

“I’m honored to have an opportunity like this at a program like Michigan State,” Henry said. “When you come to Michigan State and you’re here for two or three years, you aspire to be like many of the great leaders this program has had. I think being a captain for the Michigan State basketball team carries a lot of weight. All of us share that leadership and we want to be leaders on a team that helps to carry on the legacy of this program.”

Loyer is the other new team captain for the Spartans and will be looked on to fill a leadership role as well as compete for the starting point guard job.

“I think it’s just an honor at such a program where leadership and the ability to help your teammates and to be a leader is such a prime factor,” Loyer said. “It’s a responsibility that I will take very seriously and I will hold myself accountable to my teammates and make us the best that we can. There’s a great emphasis that we put on leadership and holding each other accountable, not only in basketball but in life, and I’m really excited for this opportunity and this season.”

With Henry and Loyer being first-time captains, Izzo is looking to them to step up and lead the Spartans to another successful season.

“I’m happy to see Aaron and Foster get that recognition from their teammates,” Izzo said. “Both of them have some very good experience and are guys who are not afraid to speak up and say what is on their mind, both on and off the floor. They are two of our hardest-working players and I think they will be great leaders for our team.”

No schedule is set in place for Michigan State yet as the Nov. 25 start date approaches, but Izzo will have three experienced veterans to lead his squad when they finally tip the ball.