CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -Illinois center Shaun Pruitt has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return to Champaign for his senior season.
Pruitt, who has spent the past few weeks playing against other draft-eligible players, announced his decision on Sunday night.
“I am now focused on having a strong senior year at the U of I and feel that this experience has made me a better player,” the 6-10 senior said.
According to news reports, NBA teams showed only limited interest in Pruitt.
The 245-pound Pruitt said in April he would try his luck in the NBA draft, but didn’t hire an agent. That allowed him to return to the Illini.
Pruitt started 35 games last season and averaged 11.4 points, second best on the 23-12 team. His average of 7.5 rebounds led the Illini and was third in the conference.
Pruitt was a third-team All Big Ten player last season.
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