Thomas Bryant to return to IU, skip NBA draft process

Thomas Bryant announced today that he will return to Indiana for his sophomore season and not put his name in for the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10 Bryant was Indiana's starting center as a freshman.

A McDonald's All-American from Huntington (W. Va.) Prep, the New York native gives Indiana a major boost heading into the 2016-17 season.

Indiana will have at least 6-foot-10 Thomas Bryant, 6-foot-10 incoming freshman De'Ron Davis, 6-foot-8 OG Anunoby, 6-foot-7 Juwan Morgan and 6-foot-7 Collin Hartman on the front line next season.

Bryant averaged 11.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 68.3 percent from the field as a freshman.

Immediately after Indiana lost to North Carolina, Bryant said: “This game right here just gives me a lot of motivation. This one right here, it fuels me.”

With Bryant, Indiana is projected to be a top-15 team and could be even higher than that entering the season.

Bryant was not widely projected to be a first-round pick this June by the draft analysts who actually watch games and study film.

Only two NBA scouts told Peegs.com they had Bryant with a first-round grade but they cautioned that was before working him out in an NBA setting.

Bryant will have the opportunity to become a clear first-round NBA pick in 2017 and most likely move up the salary slot scale.

Beyond that, he'll be more prepared to play in the NBA as opposed to just get drafted by the NBA on potential.

“Being a part of IU basketball is special and I’m excited to continue my development as a person and as a basketball player under Coach Crean,” Bryant said in a statement released by IU.

“The bond I have with my teammates and coaches is strong. Our plan is to continue to work hard and build off of the many great things we did last year and add to the tradition here.”

SEE ALSO: De'Ron Davis discusses how he fits alongside Thomas Bryant

SEE ALSO: NBA scout says Tom Crean is "one of the best in the country" at developing players.