KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball program and head coach Dwayne Stephens have announced the signing of transfer forward Hudson Ward from Penn State. He becomes the sixth newcomer the Broncos have signed for the 2025-26 season, joining fellow transfer Jalen Griffith and incoming freshmen Sharod Barnes (Ypsilanti, Mich.), Brady Swartz (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Camden Thompson (Whitehall, Mich.) and Carson Vis (Byron Center, Mich.).
 
"Hudson was a highly-rated recruit out of high school," Stephens said. "His size and athleticism at the forward position is a game-changer. He impacts the game in many ways and will be a great addition to our team."
 
A native of Leduc, Alberta, Canada, Ward comes to Western Michigan after spending his true freshman season at Penn State. He made eight appearances for the Nittany Lions last year, including Big Ten matchups against Ohio State and at UCLA. 
 
A three-star forward and top-200 player in his class per 247Sports, Ward played two seasons under head coach Sunny Sooch at Western Canada Prep Academy. In those two campaigns, he averaged 26.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while helping his team to a 56-24 combined record. A two-time team captain and team MVP, Ward earned Biosteel All-Canadian All-Star honors in both his junior and senior seasons and recorded three 50-plus point triple-doubles during his prep career. He also played for Uplay Canada in the 2023 EYBL Peach Jam.
 
Ward also brings international experience with him to Kalamazoo, having played for Team Canada in the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup. He played in seven games in that tournament, including starting and scoring 10 points against Spain in the Round of 16.