Marvin Clark to Transfer from Michigan State: Latest Comments and Reaction

A Michigan State spokesman confirmed Monday that sophomore forward Marvin Clark will transfer, according to Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press. 

Clark was instrumental in the Spartans' Final Four run in 2014-15 but was primarily a role player off the bench in 2015-16. He tallied just 9.7 minutes, 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Clark was a 3-star recruit out of Wichita, Kansas, and was a pleasant surprise last March, contributing 11.8 minutes per game in Michigan State’s NCAA tournament run to the national semifinal. 

Over his two years in East Lansing, he played in 69 games, including eight starts. He had a hiatus last offseason after needing surgery to heal a broken foot and slowly made his way back to the rotation. His role grew much more toward the end of this season after Kenny Goins suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Clark was averaging 14.4 minutes and 5.1 points over the Spartans' final nine games before the NCAA tournament, but he played just four minutes off the bench in their first-round upset to Middle Tennessee. 

After that crushing defeat, Clark reportedly criticized the Spartans’ preparations but didn’t give any inkling he’d be transferring less than two weeks later, per Kyle Austin of MLive.com.

Last week, head coach Tom Izzo said he had no ill will toward transfer students and simply hopes for the best among all his players. 

"This day and age, I don't look at kids transferring as a negative like I used to," Izzo said, per Austin. "Again, I want everybody to be happy. You know, me and them. And so that'll be in the conversation."

Clark’s departure will create a scholarship spot for the 2016-17 roster. The Spartans are among the three finalists for the nation’s top recruit, Josh Jackson, who is expected to make his decision in the next week, per Evan Daniels of Scout.

Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless noted otherwise.