UNC’s Luke Maye returning for final year after testing NBA waters

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina’s Luke Maye is withdrawing from the NBA draft to return for his senior season.

The 6-foot-8 forward announced Thursday morning on Instagram that he would return to school after “a great experience learning from the NBA process and growing as a basketball player.” He didn’t hire an agent to maintain his eligibility.

Maye made a leap from role player for the 2017 national champions to a third-team Associated Press All-American last year. He averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 43 percent from 3-point range.

As a sophomore, he hit the last-second shot to beat Kentucky and send the Tar Heels to the Final Four.

With Maye back, UNC returns three starters and adds its best recruiting class in years.