Former Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson released a statement on Friday, his first full remarks on his departure from the program. In the statement, Woodson says that returning to Bloomington to lead the men’s basketball program was “an honor” and a great opportunity to represent the Hoosiers and his alma mater.

Woodson, who played college ball under Bobby Knight at Indiana, was drafted 12th overall by the Knicks in the 1980 draft. He spent 11 years in the NBA, including five seasons with the Kings, before becoming an assistant head coach with the Bucks in 1996.

Mike Woodson’s return to Indiana in 2021 as head basketball coach was a nostalgic homecoming. Woodson was a former All-American under Bob Knight, who played a significant role in restoring the Hoosiers to glory.