Jun 8, 2007, 0:50 GMT
Clemson, SC - Clemson junior forward James Mays announced Thursday he has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft, and will return to school for his senior season.
Mays averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season for the Tigers, but because he didn't hire an agent he was allowed to take his name off the list of players eligible for the draft, to be held on June 28.
'I am glad that I went through this process, but feel coming back will give me a chance to continue to develop as a player, and enhance my draft status for next year,' Mays said. 'It will also allow me to work towards getting a degree, which is important to me and my family. My focus now is to do everything possible to help Clemson win an ACC Championship.'
Mays also set single-season school records with 95 assists and 69 steals from a frontcourt player last year. He had until June 18 to withdraw his name from the draft and made his decision to return to school after participating in a pre-draft camp last week in Orlando.
'Obviously I am pleased to have James Mays returning for his senior year,' Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell said. 'I am also pleased that James could gather as much information as he and his family needed to make this intelligent decision regarding his NBA future.'
© 2007 The Sports Network
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