Michigan State Basketball: Nick Ward working out for Detroit Pistons

Ahead of next week’s 2019 NBA Draft, Michigan State basketball’s Nick Ward has been working out for teams and the latest is the Detroit Pistons.

The NBA draft is less than a week away and players are getting in last-minute workouts for teams to prove they’re worthy of a selection. On former Michigan State star, though, could be headed toward undrafted free agency, but is hoping to change that.

Nick Ward declared for the NBA draft after his sophomore year, but ultimately decided to return as a junior. During his junior year, he was improving on all areas of his game before suffering a broken hand against Ohio State which kept him out for a month and hurt his draft stock considerably.

No, he was never truly a lock to get selected, but he was fringing on second-round status before the injury and that kind of shot his chances. He returned to be a shell of his former self with Xavier Tillman starting and Ward coming off the bench. It wasn’t the ideal situation for him, but he showed unselfishness by not complaining because it was for the better of the team.

Still, Ward decided he would pursue the NBA after his junior year with no looking back.

On Friday, he was invited to work out for the Detroit Pistons, the second team he’s visited in the pre-draft process.

Will Ward be a good fit in the NBA? He says he’s lost 13 pounds and added muscle and teams are telling him they’re impressed with his movement for a 6-9, 245-pound forward as well as his jump shot, but if he’s going to make it in the league, it’ll be because of an impressive NBA Summer League performance.

Ward is currently absent from mock draft predictions, but he has the talent and the strength in the post to open some eyes. As long as he can be consistent with his jumper and improve that defense, he can open some eyes this summer as a potential free agent pickup.