Kennedy Meeks, a junior forward on the North Carolina men's basketball team, will return to the Tar Heels for his senior season, the team announced Wednesday.
During the 2015-16 season, Meeks started 28 games while averaging 9.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He played a key role in UNC's NCAA Tournament run, averaging 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in games against Indiana, Notre Dame and Syracuse.
"I’m thankful I had the chance to explore my draft options, but I’m excited about the opportunity to rejoin my teammates and work toward having another outstanding season at UNC,” Meeks said in a press release. “I appreciate the support my coaches and teammates gave me during this process as we gathered information about my professional opportunities at this time. The feedback on what I have to work on so that I can have a great senior year, help my team have a great season and be ready to take that next step is invaluable.”
The NCAA passed a rule in January that allows players to declare for the draft without signing an agent and go through the pre-draft process. Players can participate in the NBA combine and work out with one team before deciding whether they want to continue the process or return to school.
Meeks and teammate Justin Jackson declared for the draft on April 22. Jackson will participate in the combine from May 11-15, and will have to make a decision on whether to come back to UNC by May 25.
