May 8, 2008
Columbia, Mo. -
University of Missouri junior forward Leo Lyons announced that he has withdrawn his name from the 2008 NBA Draft and will return to Columbia, Mo. next season.
Lyons made the decision on Thursday after meeting with Head Coach Mike Anderson and his staff, as well as family members and teammates throughout the last two weeks.
"I just felt like it was the right decision," Lyons said. "I really want to graduate, and by staying at Missouri, that will happen. Graduating is a goal that has been important to both my mom and I, so that weighed heavily into my decision. Second, I want to become the best basketball player I can be. This process over the last two weeks has allowed me to get feedback from NBA organizations and now I get a chance to use that my advantage."
A 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward, Lyons was one of the Big 12's most versatile big men a season ago and showed a dramatic increase in scoring and rebounding as a junior. The Kansas City native led the club with 13.1 points per game and paced the Big 12 Conference with 58.3 percent shooting from the floor (No. 23 nationally). In Big 12 play Lyons averaged an improved 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds to earn a spot on the Big 12's All-Improved Team by the league media. The team leader with six 20-point games last year, Lyons averaged 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds over his final 16 games, which included a career-best effort of 27 points and 18 rebounds against Oklahoma State. Lyons hit 12-of-13 shots vs. the Cowboys, breaking the Mizzou Arena record for field goal accuracy, while also setting the standard for single-game boards. The 18 rebounds also tied for the most in a Big 12 game this year. Overall Lyons saw his statistical averages improve 5.7 points and 1.4 rebounds from his sophomore season, making him the most improved player on the team and one of the most improved players in the Big 12 Conference.
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"Leo was able to go test the waters, get feedback about his NBA status and now he can use that to his advantage," Head Coach
Mike Anderson said. "He went through the proper channels to get the information and that's going to allow him to focus on becoming the best basketball player he can be next season."
With the official return of Lyons, only junior forward DeMarre Carroll's future remains in doubt for Mizzou. The 6-foot-8, 225-pounder also entered the NBA Draft on April 24 and was second on the club in scoring (13.0) and tops in rebounding (6.7) last season as a junior.
For more information on Mizzou Basketball, please visit our website at mutigers.com.
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