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.

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.

The Sacramento Kings struck a deal to bring in the longtime NBA coach and former Indiana Hoosiers coach as an assistant under Doug Christie on Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Woodson marks the first hire for Christie, who was promoted as the team’s full-time head coach last month.