Banyard to graduate; will not return to ISU men’s basketball

Banyard played in all of the Redbirds games in 2015-16. (WJBC File Photo)
                   Banyard played in all of the Redbirds games in 2015-16. (WJBC File Photo)

 

NORMAL- Redshirt junior forward Nick Banyard plans to graduate from Illinois State this summer and will not return to the ISU men’s basketball program for his senior season, head coach Dan Muller announced Friday.

“We thank Nick for his contribution to the program and wish him luck moving forward,” Muller said. “We are excited he will be earning his degree this summer.”

Banyard played in all 32 of Illinois State’s games in 2015-16, making seven starts. He ranked sixth on the team in scoring (5.2 points per game) and fourth on the team in rebounding (4.3 rebounds per game).

“I will be graduating this summer in hopes of continuing my career at another university,” Banyard said. “I want to thank all Redbird fans for the support as well as my coaches and teammates.”

The Flower Mound, Texas, native transferred to Illinois State after playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at New Mexico. Between his sophomore and junior seasons, Banyard practiced with ISU but could not play in 2014-15 due to NCAA transfer rules.

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