12:48 PM ET Ohio State power forward E.J. Liddell will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to school, he told ESPN Saturday. “This was a pretty difficult decision,” Liddell told ESPN. “No one in my family has ever been this close to getting to a professional league. After many conversations with my parents and coaches, I understood that returning was the best thing for me. Anyone can get signed to play in the NBA. I absolutely could have gotten a contract. But it’s not about getting in the NBA, it’s about staying in for the long-term.” The NCAA deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft and maintain college eligibility is Wednesday. Liddell, a 6-foot-7 junior-to-be, was named First Team All-Big Ten after a breakout season in which he averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 29 minutes per game — a key reason…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Buckeyes power forward E.J. Liddell withdraws from NBA draft to return for junior season
