According to Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports, Louisville point guard Russ Smith is going to forego the NBA Draft and return to school.
The 6-foot junior guard, who said shortly after the Cardinals won the national championship that he was declaring for the NBA Draft, will come back for his senior season. He made a formal announcement on Wednesday afternoon.
“I love these guys and this team, and I don’t want to leave them right now,” Smith said at the news conference. “I never really got an official goodbye — and that stuck with me,” he added.
Smith, who nearly transferred out of the program after his freshman season, averaged 18.7 points per game this past season and also established himself as one of the top perimeter defenders in the nation.
Smith was considered by most NBA executives as a second-round pick, and could improve his draft stock next year with improved decision-making.
Smart move by Smith, at least a few of these college players are receiving good counsel.