Russ Smith will return to Louisville for his senior season.
After winning the NCAA Championship with the Louisville Cardinals in April, speculation persisted that the 22-year-old guard would declare for the 2013 NBA draft.
Wednesday's press conference ended the speculation.
"I really realized how much I enjoyed playing with my teammates," Smith told reporters. "I love to win...I want to go out as a winner, as well as get my degree."
Smith would become the first player in his family to earn a degree.
Louisville coach Rick Pitino believes that another season would also allow Smith to add the 10 pounds of muscle that the NBA wants him to gain, potentially making him a first-round pick in the 2014 NBA draft.
"The pros for staying were so much better than the pros for leaving," Smith said. "I felt like I'd be running away from getting better and maturing as a player... Now I have new goals, new challenges."
One goal will be to help the Cardinals become the first team to win two consecutive championships since the Florida Gators did it in 2006 and 2007.
Andy Glockner of Sports Illustrated believes the Cardinals have a good chance of accomplishing it:
"His return is a huge boost for Louisville's chances to defend its crown. Louisville already has Chris Jones (touted as the nation's top juco player) and Terry Rozier coming in to fortify its backcourt next season, but now gets Smith back as an experienced weapon to help tie every together"
Pitino is thrilled about his team's potential for next season, calling them a "very unique group of players".
Smith averaged 18.7 points for Louisville during the 2012-13 regular season.
