June 15, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's Jaycee Carroll announced on Friday he has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return to school for his senior season. Carroll, who declared for the draft on April 23, worked out for the Utah Jazz and had interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.

"I have decided to return to Utah State for my senior season," said Carroll. "Coming back to school will give me the opportunity to continue to develop as a player and enhance my draft status for the next year. I also want to finish my degree and help Utah State contend for a Western Athletic Conference Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament."

Carroll, a 6-2 junior guard from Evanston, Wyo., finished the 2006-07 season first in the WAC and 10th in the nation in scoring with 21.3 points per game as he earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors along with being named first-team all-WAC. Carroll also led the WAC and finished 12th in the nation in free throw shooting at 88.8 percent, was first in the conference in three-point shooting (.432), fifth in overall shooting (.527), and 12th in rebounding (6.3).

"Jaycee returning for his senior year has been a strong possibility throughout this process and we are very pleased that he has reached this decision," said veteran Utah State head coach Stew Morrill. "This experience has been both positive and informative for Jaycee. He will now be better prepared for his future basketball opportunities and at this point be able to concentrate on our upcoming season."

With Carroll returning, Utah State will have three starters back from last year's National Invitation Tournament team that went 23-12 during the season.