Michael Bonner

The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE — Malik Newman removed his name from the NBA draft on Wednesday his father told The Clarion-Ledger.

The return to college may not mean a second season at Mississippi State, though. A source told The Clarion-Ledger that Newman could potentially seek to transfer. When asked about the possibility, Newman's father, Horatio Webster confirmed the shooting guard is still enrolled at Mississippi State.

"We've talked a couple people on staff. We have not spoken with Ben (Howland)," Webster told The Clarion-Ledger. "I mean we don't know if Ben's got the same vision that we have. We don't know if we have the same vision that Ben has. There's going to have to be some talking going on. Once we meet and talk, a decision will be made. But right now he's at Mississippi State."

If Newman opts to leave Mississippi State, he would have to sit out a season under NCAA rules.

Newman signed with MSU as a five-star guard projected as a lottery pick. MSU coach Ben Howland referred to Newman as a "one-and-done player" throughout the season. As the Wednesday deadline for college prospects to withdraw from the NBA draft approached, Newman was ranked as a late second-round pick.

"The fact that he was in the second round. I don't think he did enough to move up, to move the meter," Webster said. "So we just thought him being a freshman, it would be wise to take his name out and go back to work on the things that he wasn't really great at."

Newman never found a rhythm in his first season under Howland. He endured a number of injuries and played out of position most of the season. The 6-foot-3 guard was supposed to guide MSU at point guard. Instead, he often played shooting guard or small forward.

The Jackson native worked out for multiple NBA teams including two last week. He also worked out at the NBA combine in Chicago two weeks ago. Newman impressed during the shooting drills, but flew under the radar in the scrimmages.

"If they were saying first round with uncertainty, yeah, you've gotta take the chance," Webster said. "Second round and really don't know where he's going to land, it's not worth taking the chance."

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.