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Max Christie declares for NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility

April 1, 2022
<p>Freshman guard Max Christie (5) defends against sophomore guard Grant Huffman (5) during Michigan State&#x27;s win over the Davidson Wildcats on March 18, 2022.</p>

Freshman guard Max Christie (5) defends against sophomore guard Grant Huffman (5) during Michigan State's win over the Davidson Wildcats on March 18, 2022.

Photo by Rahmya Trewern | The State News

Freshman guard Max Christie announced via his Instagram that he will enter his name into the NBA draft. Christie will not sign with an agent, maintaining his college eligibility moving forward, and has until April 24 to withdraw his name if he wishes to continue to play in college.

Christie, a former five-star recruit, started all 35 games he appeared in this season and led the team in minutes per game at 30.8. Christie averaged 9.3 point, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. 

MSU head coach Tom Izzo consistently praised Christie throughout the season as one of the team’s best shooters and defenders despite inconsistent counting numbers throughout the Big Ten season. A preemptive exit would strike a blow to MSU’s already thin depth on the wing, with fellow guard Gabe Brown entering the NBA draft as well.

If Christie keeps his name in the draft and does not return, he would be Michigan State’s first one-and-done player since Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2018.

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