Monday, June 15, 2009

Draft Decision Deadline: Returning to School

With the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA Draft passing just a few minutes ago, let's take a look at the key decisions of the day:

Click here for a look at the players who decided to keep their names in the draft.

- Heading into today, many of the players who were on the fence were clearly leaning one way or the other. Notre Dame's Luke Harangody was certainly not one of them. He was up in the air until just a couple of hours before the deadline. However, he made his decision today (story first broken by head coach Mike Brey's Twitter, of all places) to return to the Fighting Irish. Although Notre Dame don't return many players from last season, Harangody's return means it will still have an excellent inside-outside combo with Tory Jackson and Harangody. Furthermore, Purdue transfer Scott Martin and Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough are eligible -- they will both start immediately. Jonathan Peoples and Tyrone Nash both played double-figures off the bench last season and will see their roles increased drastically, while a frontcourt-laden recruiting class will make an impact.

- After looking like a player who was likely to either keep his name in the NBA Draft or pursue a career overseas, Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez decided to return to the Terrapins for his senior season. One of the most productive and best all-around guards in the country, Vasquez's return means Maryland could be one of the top teams in the ACC. The Terps lose only two players, starter Dave Neal and role player Braxton Dupree, off of last season's second-round team. Guards Eric Hayes and Adrian Bowie will flank Vasquez on the perimeter, while Landon Milbourne will get help up front with the arrival of freshmen forwards Jordan Williams and James Padgett. Furthermore, Maryland is in the hunt for unsigned prospect Lance Stephenson.

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