Hason Ward (born September 24, 2000) is a Barbadian professional basketball player who last played for the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). He played college basketball for the VCU Rams and the Iowa State Cyclones.
| Free agent | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 24, 2000 Saint Thomas, Barbados |
| Nationality | Barbadian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 224 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Springfield Central (Springfield, Massachusetts) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2024: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2024–present |
| Career history | |
| 2024 | Scarborough Shooting Stars |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school
editIn 2015, Ward visited Massachusetts with his father and was recruited to attend Springfield Central High School in Springfield, MA.[1] He went to live with his aunt who lived in Springfield, MA.[2] He averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. He helped lead the team to the MIAA State Division I Quarterfinals. He blocked 22 shots in a single high school game as a junior.[3]
College career
editVirginia Commonwealth University (2019–2022)
editOn May 16, 2019, Ward signed a National Letter of Intent with Virginia Commonwealth University. He chose VCU over offers from Rutgers University, University of Georgia, Virginia Tech University and a number of other programs.[4]
During the 2019–2020 season, Ward played in 24 games and averaged 3 points, 2 rebounds and blocked 15 shots.
During the 2020–2021 season, Ward appeared in all 26 games and started the final 11 games of the year. He averaged 6.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.[5]
On March 10, 2021, Ward was named Atlantic 10 Conference All-Defensive Team as he was averaging 2.4 blocks per game, second in the conference.[6]
Iowa State University (2022–2024)
editOn April 21, 2022, Ward transferred to Iowa State University.[7]
During the 2022–2023 season, Ward appeared in 23 games and led the team in field goal percentage. He was fourth on the team in blocked shots and second on the team with 18 dunks.
During the 2023–2024 season, Ward appeared in 28 games with three starts. He missed nine non-conference games with a foot injury. He averaged 6 points and 3.8 rebounds. He was second on the teams in blocked shots with 33.[8]
On April 2, 2024, Ward was selected to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest at the annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3 Point Championship. Ward was the first Cyclone to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest.[9]
Professional career
editScarborough Shooting Stars (2024)
editOn May 2, 2024, Ward signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the CEBL.[10]
After working out for several teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks,.[11] Ward went undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft and later joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2024 NBA Summer League.[12] On October 16, 2024, he signed with the Boston Celtics,[13] but was waived a day a later.[14]
Personal life
editWard is the son of Lasontha Sealy. He has a sister named Hadara and a brother named Samuel.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Barbadian power forward to suit up in NBA Summer League". Barbados Today. July 6, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "A walk down the street: How Hason Ward was introduced to basketball The Commonwealth Times". The Commonwealth Times. October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Hason Ward - 2021-22 - Men's Basketball". Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "RAMS SIGN HASON WARD FOR 2019". Virginia Commonwealth University. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ "Hason Ward - 2021-22 - Men's Basketball". Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "HYLAND NAMED A-10 PLAYER OF THE YEAR; THREE OTHERS HONORED". Virginia Commonwealth University. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "Cyclones Add Transfer Hason Ward". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Hason Ward - Men's Basketball". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Ward to Participate in State Farm Slam Dunk Contest". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign Bajan Forward Hason Ward". CEBL.ca. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Barbadian power forward to suit up in NBA Summer League". Barbados Today. July 6, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Ward to Play in NBA Summer League with Kings". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
- ^ One Motive Sports [@OneMotiveSports] (October 16, 2024). "Hason Ward is officially the newest member of the Boston Celtics as he has signed an NBA Exhibit 10 contract with the defending NBA Champions! The 6'9" Center from Barbados moved to Springfield, MA. in high school before heading to VCU and Iowa State. Dream come true for Has!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 19, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Tucker, Tristan (October 17, 2024). "Celtics Waive Jay Scrubb, Ron Harper Jr., Hason Ward". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "Hason Ward - Men's Basketball". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved October 17, 2024.