Michigan State Basketball: Nick Ward drawing NBA draft workout interest
A decision from Nick Ward about his future with Michigan State is forthcoming, but in the meantime, he’s being requested for nearly a dozen workouts.
There are still a few weeks remaining before Nick Ward must decide on his NBA future. He entered his name in the NBA draft but did not hire an agent and has until the end of May to make a decision to remain in the draft or come back to Michigan State — or even go overseas.
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Ward had a strong sophomore season, but didn’t quite get the minutes he had hoped for, but it was mainly because of foul trouble as well as struggles on the defensive side of the ball.
Rumors of Izzo and Ward bumping heads rose to the surface, but the two sides shook it off and reiterated that there were never any hard feelings.
That relationship, which was never really talked about openly other than the shaking off of any controversy, is what leads many to believe he will remain in the draft or play overseas. There’s still a good chance he could come back, especially since he didn’t receive an invite to the NBA combine.
However, he is drawing some NBA draft workout interest from nearly a dozen teams, according to sources of Brendan F. Quinn of The Athletic Detroit.
A source tells me Michigan State sophomore Nick Ward has conducted individual workouts for the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder, so far. He'll work out for the Detroit Pistons this weekend and has been requested for workouts by at least 8 other teams.
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) May 8, 2018
Despite many believing that he doesn’t have an immediate future in the NBA, but rather when he develops a jump shot and improves his defense, he is garnering plenty of interest — although it may be out of curiosity.
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Ward will play professional basketball one day, but if he comes back to Michigan State, adds a mid-range game, improves his conditioning and defense, he could become a serious draft prospect.