Reports: MSU’s Malik Newman Will Withdraw From NBA Draft, May Transfer

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – Multiple outlets reported Tuesday night that Mississippi State guard Malik Newman will withdraw his name from the upcoming NBA Draft. But there’s reportedly doubt as to whether he’ll play for the Bulldogs again.

ESPN’s Jeff Goodman first reported that Newman may pursue transferring away from Starkville. It was the first such report suggesting that a return to college would not mean a return to Mississippi State. The Clarion-Ledger confirmed the possibility within the hour.

After finishing his freshman season at MSU, Newman tested the professional waters by attending workouts and meeting with teams, but he did not sign with an agent. This gave him the opportunity to return to college where he would have three years of eligibility remaining. He waited until Tuesday, a day before the deadline, to decide to forgo this year’s draft.

Both the university and and Newman have not issued public comment as of the last update of this post.

Newman was projected as a second round pick in this year’s draft. He told media members in March “I’m pretty sure I’ll be back,” when asked what he would do if he was not going to be a first-round pick.