WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue is getting its big man back.
Center Zach Edey announced on Twitter Wednesday evening he's withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to Purdue.
"RUN IT BACK," Edey tweeted.
Purdue announced Edey's decision with a video posted to Twitter, showing a staff member hanging his No. 15 jersey back on a clothes rack with other jerseys, followed by the line, "Zach is back."
The 7-foot-4 Edey, the reigning national player of the year, averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 assists last year. He was the first player since David Robinson of Navy in 1987 to have at least 750 points, 450 rebounds and 50 blocks in a single season.
He announced his intent to enter the draft in April, while retaining his college eligibility.
"My basketball journey has been unorthodox to say the least, but I wouldn't change a thing about it," Edey wrote in a post on social media. "From ranked 437 in my class to National Player of the Year, I can't put into words what Purdue University, my teammates, my coaches, and our fans mean to me. Though we fell short of our ultimate goal this season, I loved every second of it."
Wednesday was the deadline for players to withdraw from the June 22 NBA draft.