STARKVILLE — If it wishes to have it, the NBA can lay claim to the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s backcourt.
One day after sophomore point guard Lamar Peters announced his intent to enter the NBA draft without hiring an agent, thus saving his eligibility if he chooses to return to MSU, freshman guard Nick Weatherspoon did the same Thursday.
“Talked it over and decided to enter my name in the 2018 NBA Draft,” Weatherspoon posted to Twitter. “No agent. Excited for the opportunity.”
If Weatherspoon elects to return to school for his sophomore season and the senior season of his older brother, guard Quinndary, he must make that intent known by the May 30 deadline.
Excluding his absence due to a hip injury suffered in the Southeastern Conference tournament, Nick Weatherspoon was one of MSU’s most consistent producers, averaging 10.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. He also had 33 steals in 36 games.
MSU coach Ben Howland often called Weatherspoon, who was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team, one of the team’s best defenders.
“I just pick my points in a game where I feel like I can score,” Weatherspoon told The Dispatch before MSU played Penn State in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) semifinals. “If I see I’m lacking in scoring, like I only have two points in the first half, I know I have to get it going and get more aggressive. A lot of time, I just know when we have Lamar, (Quinndary Weatherspoon) and (forward) Aric (Holman) on the floor at the same time, it’s going to be a lot of their scoring, and once one of those guys get subbed out, I have to step up my game.”
247 Sports rated Nick Weatherspoon as the best player in the state of Mississippi and the sixth-best point guard in the nation. He chose MSU over offers from Kansas, Louisville, Memphis, and others.
Weatherspoon also was a finalist for the Howell Trophy, which is given to the best men’s college basketball player in the state of Mississippi. Quinndary Weatherspoon won the award.
Anthony Carlyle, who just led Columbus High School boys basketball team to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship, coached Quinndary and Nick at Velma Jackson High.
“The thing that stands out the most is how competitive he is,” Howland said before the NIT semifinals. “As good as he is defensively and how much he takes pride in it, it’s all about winning.”
Howland wasn’t available for comment about Weatherspoon’s decision. He also didn’t comment about Peters’ decision.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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