Guard Nijel Pack withdraws from 2022 NBA Draft, returns to Miami

Miami transfer guard Nijel Pack revealed he will withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and will return to school for a third year. Pack played for Kansas State for two seasons before announcing his decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Pack committed to Miami prior to testing the NBA draft, and will keep that commitment by playing with the Hurricanes next season.

Nijel Pack withdraws from the draft

“Miami’s Nijel Pack tells me that he will withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to school next season. Transfer from Kansas State,” explained CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

The 6-foot-0 sophomore guard averaged 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season for the Wildcats.

“I chose Miami because, first, Coach L (Jim Larranaga) is a great coach and he allows his guards to get up and down and play with lots of freedom,” Pack said to On3 of his decision. “Second, (Miami) is coming off a great season, and has a really good group returning plus some freshmen and transfers and I believe we can be a great team. Lastly, the ACC is a great conference to play in and I love to play against the best.”

Pack, one of the top transfers this offseason, ultimately chose the Hurricanes over Ohio State and Purdue. He will join an incoming group of four freshmen — four-star PF AJ Casey, four-star C Favour Aire, three-star SF Christian Watson, and three-star SF Danilo Jovanovich.

Pack made news shortly after his commitment to Miami for signing a major NIL deal with LifeWallet — a $800,000 total deal, split over two years at $400,000 per year and a car. Miami hopes that Pack’s skills will help them reach and surpass a second Elite Eight appearance in a row. Pack has three years of college eligibility remaining, if he decides to remain at the college level longer.