Nick Ward To Return To Michigan State Spartans, Forego 2018 NBA Draft

The Michigan State Spartans got some huge news earlier this week when news broke that Nick Ward would be returning to school for his junior year. He had declared without an agent for the 2018 NBA Draft, but fans learned that he would now be returning to school.

During his two seasons in East Lansing, Ward has posted some solid numbers. He has averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while averaging only 19.4 minutes. Ward came up huge in a few games last season for the Spartans, including a 14-point performance in a road win over Wisconsin and an 18-point performance against Indiana.

Ward entered Michigan State’s program with his fair share of hype. Not only was he rated as a top 50 prospect by 247Sports, but he was the No. 3 player from the state of Ohio and part of an absolutely loaded 2016 recruiting class for head coach Tom Izzo.

Considering that Michigan State will be losing Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson to early entries to the NBA Draft, getting Ward back into the fold is significant news. He should offer a steady presence down low to push an experienced Spartan squad. There’s little arguing that he and Cassius Winston will be the team’s star players heading into next season.

Whether Michigan State can achieve its goals next season with Ward back in the fold remains to be seen, but fans have to be excited. The Spartans just got some great news.