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Is Malik Newman returning to MSU?

By Jared Aldridge

Dec 23, 2015; Jackson, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Malik Newman (14) drives to the basket against Northern Colorado Bears guard Jordan Davis (0) during the second half at the Mississippi Coliseum. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Northern Colorado Bears 93-69. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Jackson, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Malik Newman (14) drives to the basket against Northern Colorado Bears guard Jordan Davis (0) during the second half at the Mississippi Coliseum. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeat the Northern Colorado Bears 93-69. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State guard Malik Newman has announced plans to withdraw his name from the 2016 NBA draft, but will he return to the Bulldogs?

Mississippi State basketball fans got some good news last night, as Malik Newman’s father announced that the guard would withdraw his name from the NBA draft. It didn’t take long for the confusion to begin as several outlets, including ESPN, reported that Newman may not return to MSU.

So what exactly are Newman’s other opportunities? Well he could transfer to another Division I school but that would require sitting out an entire year. Gary Parrish, of CBS Sports, reported that Malik could look at the junior college route because he doesn’t want to sit out.

As of this morning, Paul Jones of 247Sports is reporting that Newman is still enrolled at Mississippi State and plans to stay that way. Horactio Webster, Newman’s father, told 247 that “There is no talk of going juco or transferring.”

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Malik Newman came to Mississippi State as a five star recruit and one of the most decorated high school basketball players in the state’s history. A slew of injuries and a failure to develop a clear role led to a less than stellar freshman season for Newman. At 11.3 points per game, Malik was fourth in scoring on a MSU team that wasn’t very good.

Despite the disappointing year, you can believe Ben Howland would love to have Malik back for another year. Howland’s Bulldogs currently have the eighth ranked recruiting class in the nation according to 247 that includes seven 4-star players.

Add those players to standout freshman Quinndary Weatherspoon, incumbent point guard I.J. Ready, and a healthy Newman and MSU looks to be much improved in 2017. The recruiting class, along with the fact that he doesn’t want to sit out a year, points to Malik returning to State and helping turn around the basketball program.

UPDATE: May 30th:

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