Xavier's Trevon Bluiett ditching draft, coming back to campus

May 24 (UPI) -- Xavier basketball is getting back its leading scorer after Trevon Bluiett withdrew his name from the 2017 NBA Draft.

Bluiett, 22, posted 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season for the 24-14 Musketeers. Xavier won its first three games in the 2017 NCAA men's basketball tournament before falling in the Elite 8 to No. 1 Gonzaga. Bluiett posted just 10 points in the loss, but scored 25 points per game in the first three rounds.

"Trevon is one of the best players in all of college basketball and we're excited to have him back in the role of senior leader," Xavier head coach Chris Mack said in a statement. "Tre has been a part of three straight NCAA appearances including trips to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. He competes every day and continues to improve in every facet of the game. I know our fans are ecstatic."

Xavier will likely make its way into the top-25 in the men's college basketball preseason rankings, despite losing Edmond Sumner to the draft.

Bluiett held a workout with the Indiana Pacers and was set to workout for the New York Knicks before making the announcement. He is a two-time First Team All-Big East selection.

His 1,585 point total ranks No. 15 in school history. Xavier's all-time points leader is Byron Larkin, at 2,696. If Bluiett scores the same amount of points next season as he did in 2016, he would move up to 2,249 points. That mark would past David West (2,132) for No. 2 in school history. Bluiett would have to average close to 30 points per game in 2017 to pass Larkin.

Draft Express ranked Bluiett the No. 41 junior prospect. He was not projected as a first round pick.