Ward will return to Michigan State for junior season

Forward Nick Ward announced on Tuesday that he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and will return to Michigan State for his junior year.

“It was a great opportunity for me to go through the process and I’m grateful for the feedback I received from NBA teams,” Ward said in a news release. “It is every player’s dream to play in the NBA and I’ve learned a lot through my workouts and interviews that will help me when I am ready to make that next step.”

Ward, who declared for the draft in April, was not invited to the NBA combine but worked out for several teams.

Ward was an All-Big Ten third-team selection after averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a game last season.

“I’m glad that Nick had the opportunity to go through the process and was able to receive feedback from NBA teams,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said in the release. “It was a great opportunity for him to explore his draft stock and to see what he needs to work on in order to play at the highest level.”

–Field Level Media