Nick Ward: Remember Who You Do It For
12/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Kacy Kobakof, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
A new pair of shoes have stepped into the paint at the Breslin to compete for rebounds this season for the Spartans. Freshman forward Nick Ward has arrived. With a father who played professionally, Ward was exposed to basketball from the time he was born. He inherited his father's admiration for the game at a young age, and knew that playing college basketball would be his direction as well.
It's no surprise that Ward was able to turn his dreams into a reality.
From the second he was walking, basketball instantly became a way of life. With a half court in the backyard of his childhood home in Gahanna, Ohio, Ward's passion for the sport grew each time he was out there making buckets with his father.
That's when he fell in love with it.
"My dad had a high influence on me playing basketball," Ward said. "I saw him play overseas, on different teams, and just saw how hard he worked training. I heard stories and watched videos, and that really inspired me, and I thought, this is my dream, I want to do this."
At 6-foot-8, Ward took the next step in following his dream, and committed to play Division I basketball for Michigan State University. "I got recruited by a lot of teams, a lot of teams. But certain things stuck out to me. When you recruited me, when you started to recruit me. I didn't like if you tried to recruit me too late. I watched for that," Ward made clear. "It's the thrill that you have to have for it. It's not really just a you-like-the-program type thing. You have to love all the coaches, you have to love the practice grind, you have to love the facilities, you have to love the people, you have to have a family feel. That's why Michigan State was my best choice. I really felt a bond when I had my visit. I had all the guys' numbers. They'd text me, ask me how I'm doing. I'd get calls, and stuff like that."
The impact Michigan State had on Ward during his visit was minimal compared to the impact playing Division I basketball and a Hall of Fame coach has had on the freshman athlete in the six months that he has actively been living on campus.
The first time he had stepped onto the court this season, he has had to tackle an entirely new challenge.
His weight.
"It hasn't really been a problem, until I came here. College basketball is very high-paced. Running the court, it's very physical. It takes a lot out on your joints," Ward explained. "It'll be a lot more beneficial if I lose weight and add more muscle. It'll benefit me in the long run."
Head coach Tom Izzo was the first coach throughout Ward's career to take an interest in his weight and push him to his full potential.
Izzo shared with Ward a piece of advice that has helped him stick with the grueling yet rewarding process. "He told me to take it one game at a time, and just work hard," Ward said. "He said I can do whatever I put my mind to. I believe that, and I strive for that everyday."
The words of advice from his coach paralleled with his exceptional work ethic, Ward has been able to make strides not only on the court, but with his weight involved goals.
"I had to eat differently. For example, I haven't had a cheeseburger or fries since, probably since I first returned back here, so June 20," he laughed. "I had to work a little harder, put that extra work in. Run a little harder. I had to do a little bit of everything, but it's mainly eating healthy. I wouldn't say it's difficult. I feel a lot better. It's not difficult anymore, because I don't think about it."
The regimen has become a lifestyle for the freshman. From the eating changes he made day to day, to the fitness that he pushes himself to complete alongside the 6:30 a.m. lifts, Ward has come out with nothing except impressive results.
He weighed in at 275 pounds when first arriving to the program. Today, he weighs in at 244 pounds. The math? 31 pounds dropped. And for Ward, it's only still the beginning. "My knees don't hurt anymore. Of course, you're going to get sore, but they don't hurt. My joints don't hurt that bad, it's easy to get up in the morning. Now, I've decided that I want to lose a little more."
The progress he makes doesn't go without meaning. The tattoo on his left arm reminds him everyday why he goes through the journey of becoming the best he can be, and that every little piece of the process is worth it.
Remember who you do it for.
"Remember who you do it for. My Nana passed. She always wanted to see me play. She always was saying, ‘my grandson is playing ball at Michigan State.' My family, my dad's dream, and my brother's dream, show them everything that you think is possible. I just gotta remember who I'm doing it for. I'm doing it for my Nana, my family, for myself, too."
It doesn't get much more rewarding than that. Not only does he get to be proud of himself, he has some of his biggest fans rooting him on from home every single day.
Ward has a special audience in those fans for every basketball game played at the Breslin. His parental support system makes the four hour drive from Columbus, Ohio, to East Lansing for every home game to cheer for their son. When his parents are not there watching him take the two-toned Breslin floor, they're communicating with him to aid his game in other ways.
"Me and my dad have one of the best father-son relationships. Ever. I can tell him anything," Ward smiled. "My mom and dad live in Columbus, Ohio, so I'll be on FaceTime with my parents, and my dad will have the iPad up and we'll talk basketball for hours." Playing in front of Spartan Nation, the freshman has fully embraced his role of being relied on as one of two healthy post players. The energy of the Izzone helps the adrenaline flow through his veins and send electricity to his game.
"You really feel that energy when you step on the court. I mean, people go crazy. The best fans in the country," Ward laughed. "I'm not scared [to step up]. I embrace the spotlight, and I'm used to my role now. I say that as humbly as possible. I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do that every time I step on the court."
