How Ben Howland convinced Malik Newman on MSU

STARKVILLE Ben Howland had about a month as the face of Mississippi State basketball to convince Malik Newman to join him in Humphrey Coliseum this fall.

MSU hired Howland on March 23. Newman announced his decision to attend Mississippi State on April 24.

The process went back further though and didn't begin with Howland, but assistant George Brooks.

"He had recruited Malik and his father Horatio for three years, actually three-plus years," Howland told ESPN's Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg. "He did a great job developing a relationship so we had a person on our staff that they were very comfortable with."

Newman's addition to the roster instantly gave the Bulldogs credibility in the Southeastern Conference and across the national landscape. ESPN ranks MSU's incoming freshman class as the 19th best in the country. Four-star prospects Quinndary Weatherspoon and Joe Struggs join Newman in the class.

Mississippi State always appeared on Newman's radar throughout the recruiting process. Howland provided the stability needed for a top 5 talent to commit to Mississippi State, a school that's sat in the basement of the SEC standing the last three seasons.

"For Malik, being one of the top four players in America, it's all about who can help him get to fulfill his dream of being an NBA player," Howland said. "The fact that I've had five players from the point position play in the NBA, was really good from the standpoint of them believing I know what I'm doing."

Newman is projected by many to be a top 10 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Mississippi State hasn't had a first round pick since Arnett Moultrie in 2012. A Bulldogs hasn't been selected in the top 10 since Erick Dampier in 1996.

If all goes well, Newman will be the next in 2016.

"It's a situation where a lot of things came into place," Howland said. "I just feel very grateful and very blessed that it worked out that we're going to get Malik to be here for his one year in college."

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