Michigan State nabs 2016 big
Just last weekend, four-star junior big man Nick Ward told interviewers that he was wide open in the recruiting process. The door shut quickly with a Wednesday night commitment to Michigan State.
A 6-foot-9, 240-pound post player from Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln who currently ranks No. 69 in the class of 2016, Ward admits that he was probably a little closer to making his decision than he wanted to make public a few days ago.
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"I kind of knew where I was leaning but at the same time I just felt like I had to find the right time to do it," Ward told Rivals.com. "Just my situation I'll be in. They have two McDonald's All-Americans there so I felt I might as well take the spot."
Ward actually relishes the thought of going into a situation where he'll be following 2015 McDonald's All-Americans Caleb Swanigan and Deyonta Davis
"I love the idea that they are there," said Ward. "The competition, it will bring the best out of me."
Of course, Ward is looking forward to Tom Izzo pushing him as well. He loves what he sees in Izzo and assistant coach Dwayne Stephens.
"Izzo pushes his players to be the best that he can be," said Ward. "I love everything else about coach. Coach Stephens was great too. I like everything about him, coach Stephens is very relatable."
A big-bodied post player with soft touch, Ward is adept at using the glass from either block, shielding defenders from the ball with the rim and he has a very nice jump hook. He's looking to expand his range and continue to work into college shape before he arrives on campus.
Ward thinks he fits the mold of big man that Michigan State fans have come to expect.
"I can bring the type of big physical and skilled big man that they are used to," said Ward. "Kind of like Zach Randolph and they said if I keep on developing I could get into the mix at the three and four."