Mar 22, 2019; Tulsa, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Lindell Wigginton (5) shoots against Ohio State Buckeyes forward Kyle Young (25) and guard C.J. Jackson (3) and forward Kaleb Wesson (right) during the second half in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Ohio State won 62-59. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — ISU sophomore guard Lindell Wigginton said Wednesday he had “no regrets” about coming back for an injury-marred second season with the Cyclones.
“I don’t regret it,” said Wigginton, who saw his NBA Draft profile diminish from possible first rounder to likely undrafted, but skilled prospect in a season. “I think I did learn in areas and I think the injury and stuff helped me with my mental stage; just going through any situation and adapting to any situation, I think it helped me a lot.”
Wigginton injured his foot in the 2018-19 season opener and sat out the next 10 games. When he returned, he was suddenly a sixth man, but his stats — despite playing seven fewer minutes per game compared to 2017-18 — stayed fairly constant.
He averaged 13.4 points per game, versus 16.7, but his 3-point shooting remained solid (39 percent to 40 percent), his rebound numbers increased slightly (4.0 to 3.7), and assists dropped a bit (2.8 to 2.1).
But all of that is water under the bridge now. Wigginton is almost certainly closing the door on his ISU career, which was remarkable by most measures, even if there was some drop off from a year ago.
“I know what I can do,” Wigginton said. “I thnk the scouts know what I can do. Mock draft guys are just people who put out a draft board, but like I said, I know what I can do. Obviously it wasn’t the season I wanted it to be, but I’ve just got to go into the workout and be me. That’s really all I’ve got to do.”
Wigginton added that he’s somewhat of a trailblazer for Nova Scotia hoops. There aren’t many top talents that come out of that region of Canada, so it’s a point of pride to stand out — and step up.
“It means a lot,” Wigginton said. “That’s been my dream growing up. Not a lot of people make it from where I’m from, so me just being the first person to try to make it means a lot to me and it means a lot to youth back home; just everybody back home. Just inspiring the youth, it’s not about basketball. It’s not everything about basketball. It’s more than basketball.”
