Doug McDermott: All-American Forward Returning to Creighton

Doug McDermott will return to Creighton for his senior year, according to ESPN.

McDermott, an All-American this season, will likely be the overwhelming favorite for every player of the year award in his senior season.

The Bluejays forward averaged 23.2 PPG and 7.7 RPG in an average of 31.6 minutes each contest. 

McDermott said of his difficult decision, “I've had enough of this. I'm ready to make this decision. This is where my heart is. The NBA can wait. I feel like I can play there someday, but this is an opportunity I can't pass up."

For a player of his magnitude to return is surprising at the surface level, but considering that he is not the type of athlete that projects to improve in the NBA, it is understandable that he would return to school.

The NBA Draft is a futures market, and players are, more often than not, selected based on their potential and not their skill level.

McDermott will likely not improve his draft stock by returning to Creighton, and he will likely not hurt his chances either.  

Eamonn Brennan of ESPN wrote of McDermott’s decision, “Doug McDermott isn't going to wow NBA scouts so much that he'll be a lottery pick. At that point, aside from the ever-present injury risk all athletes face, the question changes from "why stay" to "well, why not?"

Why not indeed?

Doug McDermott clearly has the ability to dominate the college game, and he will likely receive more awards and attention at the college level than the pro level.

With little risk of losing out on a first round draft position and little ability to push up into the hallowed realm of the lottery, why not be a superstar just one more year?

Creighton will enter the new Big East this season, and they will do so behind the strength of their returning star.