May 25, 2016
Malik Newman tested the NBA Draft waters and has decided that he didn’t like his current chances. The current Mississippi State University player and former Callaway High School star has decided to withdraw from the draft.
Newman still decided to drop out after https://dailyknicks.com/2016/05/24/knicks-nba-draft-prospect-malik-newman-works-out-for-ny/">working out for the New York Knicks yesterday. He also worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets.
Today is the final day that players who haven’t signed with an agent can withdraw from the draft and return to school. Anyone who doesn’t withdraw forfeits their college eligibility and will remain in the draft.
Newman was one of the top players in the country coming out of high school. The popular thought was that he would showcase his skills for one college season before jumping to the NBA.
But things didn’t go as planned. He was hit with injuries and was http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25492818/malik-newmans-nba-draft-decision-more-difficult-after-tough-season">inconsistent on the court. During his first season at MSU, http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3907359/malik-newman">Newman averaged 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He also had 1.9 turnovers per game and shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from the three-point line.
Still, even after an up-and-down freshman season, Newman was right to take advantage of the new rule that allows players to go to the NBA Combine.
https://bustingbrackets.com/2016/05/13/2016-nba-draft-isaiah-miles-dominates-on-day-two/3/">Several blogs reported that Newman shot the ball well during http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nba/62767/34/nba-combine-shooting-drills">shooting drills on day one of the event, but he http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Underclassmen-Who-May-Need-To-Return-After-Middling-Combine-Showings-5482">didn’t stand out during the team drills. Mock drafts had Newman anywhere from being a late second-round pick to being undrafted.
Coming back to school isn’t the worst thing for Newman. He can use his time at college to better his game and still test the NBA waters after next season. Under the current rules, he can declare for the draft for three seasons (freshman, sophomore, junior) and go back to school if he doesn’t sign with an agent.
Where he will play next season might be the next question. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/15712769/mississippi-state-malik-newman-withdraw-draft-transfer">ESPN, citing multiple sources, says Newman may transfer to another Division I school after being unhappy in his role under first-year coach Ben Howland.
If Newman does transfer to another Division I, he will have to sit out a year due to NCAA rules. That would likely mean he would have to wait two years before giving the NBA Draft another try.
MSU has another highly talented class—http://mississippistate.247sports.com/Season/2016-Basketball/Commits">in most cases considered a top 10 class—coming in next season. Newman could also decide to stay with the Bulldogs and be part of a major turn around.
No matter where Newman ends up, he will have to put his NBA dreams on hold for at least one more year.
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