SOUTH BEND — Forward Luke Harangody withdrew from the NBA draft on Monday, deciding instead to return to Notre Dame for his senior season and a chance to become the school’s leading scorer.
Coach Mike Brey said he would have supported Harangody no matter what his decision, but is thrilled he will return.
“We have a great nucleus next year and I know one of Luke’s goals is to get back to the NCAA tournament.” Brey said. “He also has the chance to carve a unique place in the long and storied history of the Notre Dame basketball program.”
Notre Dame, coming off a 25-8 finish in 2007-08, began last season ranked No. 9 and had high hopes of putting together one of its best seasons in years. But the Irish stumbled through a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season and finished 21-15 and lost to Penn State in the National Invitation Tournament semifinal.
The 6-foot-8 forward was the one consistent bright spot for the Irish, averaging 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds last season to lead the Big East in scoring and rebounding in consecutive seasons. He was the league’s player of the year in 2008.
Harangody, who had 792 points last season, needs 738 points next season to pass Austin Carr as Notre Dame’s leading scorer. He needs 370 rebounds to pass Tom Hawkins as the school’s leading rebounder. He had 401 rebounds last season.
He took part in the NBA predraft camp last month in Chicago and worked out for at least eight teams.
“I believe that the past several weeks have been a great learning experience for Luke and his family,” Brey said.
Harangody planned to meet with the media on Tuesday to discuss his decision.
He is the third straight Irish player to return to school after initially declaring for the draft. Chris Thomas in 2003 and Torin Francis in 2005 also returned after putting their names in the draft. The last player to leave Notre Dame early was Troy Murphy, taken with the 14th overall pick in 2001 by the Golden State Warriors.
College Sports
Harangody withdraws from draft, returns to ND
- College Sports
-
-
Trio of Ravens honored
Anderson University’s Katie Lee has been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Central Region Team on Tuesday. Senior Monica Crowe and freshman Yardley Collett were named to the NFCA All-Central Region third Team.
-
Carthage ends AU’s season
Anderson University’s sudden scoring woes continued Saturday and it led to the Ravens’ elimination from the NCAA Division III softball tournament.
-
Anderson falls to Manchester in final
Manchester College defeated Anderson University 5-0 to claim the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament and claim the automatic bid for the Division III National Tournament.
-
Ravens' road rougher
Defending NCAA Division III national softball champion Linfield scored six runs in the first inning and blanked Anderson University 8-0 on Friday.
-
Ravens rough up Reds
Carthage College got to see up close and personal both barrels of the shotgun the Anderson University softball team used to dominate conference foes all year.
-
Crean defends decision to end Kentucky series
Indiana coach Tom Crean says the Kentucky series will end because the Hoosiers didn't want to play another game in Indianapolis.
-
AU set for power struggle
Keeping the ball in the park when the Carthage College Lady Reds are at the plate will be a key element for the Anderson University Ravens softball team this afternoon.
AU will play today at 2 p.m. at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Ill., as it tests the NCAA Division III tournament waters in this double-elimination event. -
Former Arabian prepares for Pac-12 championships, cheers Luck
Stanford sophomore Ellie McCardwell was in the training room with some of the Cardinal’s football players two weeks ago when the Indianapolis Colts selected university legend Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
A two-time state champion in the pole vault at Pendleton Heights, McCardwell said she’ll never forget the reaction as Stanford athletes around the room cheered one of their own. -
Rick Teverbaugh: Ravens deserve attention
Perhaps it is akin to the “too close to the forest to see the trees” syndrome.
But for whatever reason, I suspect there is some extent to which the monumental accomplishments of the Anderson University softball team have gone underappreciated by area sports fans in general. -
Ravens learn softball draw
The Anderson University softball team learned the location and first-round foe for its entry into the NCAA Division III tournament on Thursday.
- More College Sports Headlines
-
