Mississippi State's Woodard declares for NBA draft
Mississippi State guard Robert Woodard II will declare for the NBA draft, he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
Woodard says he doesn't intend to return to college but will maintain his eligibility due to the uncertainty surrounding the pre-draft process as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sophomore is projected as a late first-rounder by ESPN, which tabs him as the 24th-best player available.
Woodard averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and one block in 31 games for the Bulldogs this past season. He also shot 42.9% from distance on 2.3 attempts per contest.
The 6-foot-7 guard says he has attempted to improve his game by watching footage of Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
"I've been watching film focusing on both ends of the floor, my own games to see what I can do to improve as well as my personal favorite, Kawhi Leonard," he told Givony. "I like studying how efficient he is on both ends. The way he uses angles on offense and defense. He doesn't need too many dribbles to impact the game."
Woodard is the son of Robert Woodard, who also played for Mississippi State between 1986 and 1990.