Izzo had high praise for the 6-foot-8-inch wing, noting his efficiency and work ethic among the highest he has ever coached.

“He plays as hard, as consistently and is as efficient as any player I’ve had in a long, long time," Izzo said. "He makes very few mistakes.” 

Scott is prepared to take that extra leap, with more opportunity and more on his plate as a player this year. 

“I have been trying to change my body and myself mentally,” Scott said. “Being more aggressive and seeing the game differently than I did as a freshman is big for me.”

Earning a starting role and being trusted to close out games deep in the season can't be taken lightly on an Izzo-led team. Since 2020-21, only three freshmen have played more than 20 minutes per game in a season: Scott at 20.8 minutes per game and two current NBA players, Max Christie at 30.8 minutes per game in 2021-22 and Jase Richardson at 25.3 minutes per game in 2024-25.

The stats may not jump off the board for Scott. Last season he averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on 41% shooting from the field and 37% from three, which was fourth on the team, but his impact going forward will be worth more than what the stat sheet shows.

Scott has been in many positions in his young career with MSU, taking the toughest assignment on defense and being asked to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. 

Izzo loves the versatility that a player like Scott can bring to his everyday lineup.

“I am a big Jordan Scott fan,” Izzo said. “I think he’s got versatility, I think he can play three positions, and I think he has some size for his position.”

Down the stretch last season, Michigan State dealt with injury and unreliability at the secondary point guard position, which led junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. to play extended minutes at the end of the season.

To counteract that, the Spartans allowed Scott to have more reps on the ball when Fears exited the game or was given a break. That has carried over into this offseason; Scott has been receiving looks at the point guard position and has earned trust there. Scott enjoys playing the lead guard role and feels as if he can bring his own style to the role.

“It has definitely been fun. I do like to switch up the roles a little bit,” Scott said. “I was playing a lot of two and three over the summer, but now going to a point guard role, it was new. I see Jeremy and Carlos (Medlock Jr.) do it all the time, so I just try to bring my own bigger point guard view to that area.”

MSU will need to utilize Scott’s perimeter shooting ability as well this year. The Spartans were fifth in three-point percentage in the Big Ten last season but just 10th in makes. MSU had seven players attempt at least two threes per game last year, and three of those players are no longer on the roster. With outside shots opening up, Scott could see an increased rate. He took 2.9 threes per game, which was 61.4% of his shot diet in 2025-26.

As a projected starter, Scott could be one of the swing pieces for an MSU squad looking to make a Final Four push.

"Having that year under my belt, I think it's really helped my game," Scott said. "This is my time for me to get back out on the court and show what I've been working on."