Why was Keon Coleman at Michigan State basketball game? MSU 'always gonna be home'

A familar face was in the stands of Michigan State basketball's senior night at the Breslin Center on Wednesday: former Spartans football wide receiver and one-time basketball player Keon Coleman.

Coleman, who transferred to play for Florida State ahead of the 2023 college football season, was seen sporting a Steven Izzo No. 13 jersey in the Spartans' final home game of the season, a 53-49 victory for MSU. Multiple social media accounts pointed out that the former Spartan spent time conversing with fans, signing autographs and taking pictures.

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Coleman attend the game not only as a fan, but also as a former player under Tom Izzo, whose son Steven was among those celebrated in Wednesdays' game. Coleman joined the Spartans basketball team in January 2022, a season after he had a breakout campaign under former football coach Mel Tucker, nabbing 58 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

Here's what you need to know about Coleman's attendance at Michigan State basketball's senior night, as well as his brief time with the basketball team under Izzo:

Why was Keon Coleman at Michigan State basketball game?

Coleman, speaking with Owen Oszust of WILX-TV, said Michigan State is "home," adding that his decision to transfer to Florida State was "nothing personal." He also said he "always will love" his first school:

He spent one season at Florida State for a Seminoles team that, despite going undefeated and winning the ACC championship, was left out of the College Football Playoff. Coleman, who had 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdons in 2023, declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after one season in Tallahassee, Florida, which he told the Free Press in June 2023 was his plan.

Keon Coleman Michigan State basketball stats

Coleman briefly spent time on the basketball team under Izzo, joining the team in January 2022 and logging stats in six games for a team that ultimately ended its season in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. He finished with the following totals: five points on 2-of-5 shooting (1 of 2 from 3), one rebound, three steals and three turnovers.

Following the 2022 college football season, however, Coleman made the decision not to return to the basketball team, instead focusing solely on football.

“After that week, I just had a real sit-down with myself,” Coleman told the Free Press in March 2023. “Like, yeah, I can go help (the basketball team). But how much would I be hurting myself without getting healthy? So I was like, just get back healthy and then just get back to football. That's pretty much all I could do.”

Izzo, for his part, was supportive of Coleman's decision to focus on football.

“Keon Coleman and I spoke at length this week and we came to the joint decision that it would be best for him to focus on his football career and not join the basketball team at this time,” Izzo said in a January 2023 statement. “Keon had a great football season and it’s in his best interests to take the next few months to get ready for spring football, while also taking care of his academic obligations.

“I can’t thank Mel Tucker enough for his support of Keon and our basketball program. We recruited Keon together for both sports, and Mel was behind him trying to be a part of both programs,” Izzo said. “I love Keon and have such great admiration for him, but I also want what is best for him and his future. I’m glad we agreed that this was the best plan of action moving forward.”

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Keon Coleman on why he was at MSU basketball game: 'Always gonna be home'