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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

James Blackmon Jr. to return to Indiana

Men's College Basketball, NBA Draft, Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana Hoosiers freshman James Blackmon Jr. will return to school instead of entering the NBA draft.

Blackmon, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, was projected in the second round/undrafted range by ESPN's Chad Ford had he decided to go pro.

"There is unfinished business," Blackmon told ESPN.com on Thursday. "I feel I can come back and show a lot more. I will be coming back to a great team, and the hard work will continue."

Blackmon averaged 15.7 points and 5.3 rebounds during his first season at Indiana, shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range. He was one of the most productive freshmen in the country, hitting the 20-point mark on 10 separate occasions.

Indiana struggled down the stretch of the season, losing 10 of its final 15 games after a 15-4 start. The Hoosiers were bounced by Wichita State in the round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

The Hoosiers could bring back nearly their entire rotation from this past season if junior point guard Yogi Ferrell decides to return to Bloomington instead of going pro. Troy Williams is among the returnees, while coach Tom Crean also brings in a top-25 recruiting class that includes center Thomas Bryant (No. 20), one of the best big men in the country.

"I feel like we have a chance," Blackmon said.

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