CINCINNATI — Forward Trevon Bluiett has withdrawn from consideration from the NBA draft and will return to Xavier for his junior season.
"The NBA Pre-Draft process has been a great experience for me," Bluiett said in a statement released by Xavier. "After sitting down with my family and coaches, I've decided to return to Xavier. The NBA will remain an important future goal, but for now my focus is on continuing my education and leading Xavier's Team 95 to another special season."
The Musketeers return the nucleus of a team that finished second in the Big East to national champion Villanova. Bluiett has been their leading scorer each of his two seasons, averaging 15.1 points last season. He was their top 3-point shooter and third-leading rebounder at 6.1 per game.
However, the Musketeers did lose 6-10 forward Jalen Reynolds to the draft. Reynolds hired an agent in April, making him ineligible to return to Xavier for his final season. Reynolds averaged 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds, second on the team.
Reynolds graduated earlier this month and tweeted a fond message to Xavier fans.
Thank you!!! pic.twitter.com/VTRSnt6ZYM
— Jalen Reynolds (@JalenReynolds) May 15, 2016
The NBA draft is June 23.
Xavier set a school record last season when it was ranked as high as No. 5 and finished at No. 9, its best final ranking. The Musketeers went 28-6, received a second seed in the NCAA Tournament and were upset by Wisconsin 66-63 in the second round.
