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After testing the NBA waters for the last month, Wolf Pack forward Cameron Oliver has decided to return to Nevada for his sophomore season. Oliver made the decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft and stay in school on Monday afternoon. This is what Oliver posted on his Instagram page (via his Twitter account) about his decision to return to Reno:
I'm more than excited to be back in a Pack uniform for another year ! Time to get ready for 2016-17 ! #GoPack pic.twitter.com/iDy5475eNh
— Cam Oliver (@SpaceCamm) May 23, 2016
Oliver was named the Mountain West Freshman of the year for the 2015-16 season as he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game as a freshman. He also shot 51 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three-point line as he was a key contributor in the Wolf Pack winning 24 games this past season. In the CBI Tournament, Oliver's numbers increased as he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as he helped the Wolf Pack win the 2016 CBI Championship.
Needless to say but Wolf Pack head coach Eric Mussleman was happy that his star player was returning to Reno. Here is what the coach tweeted after Oliver announced his decision to return to the Wolf Pack basketball team:
We are thrilled that Cam Oliver has decided to return - Let's get ready for 2016-17! @SpaceCamm pic.twitter.com/PwGwNcBF79
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) May 23, 2016
Oliver did not get an invitation to attend the NBA Combine and only one NBA team, the Boston Celtics, invited him for a workout. The word around NBA circles was that Oliver needs at least one to two years of college basketball before considering making the jump to the league. With Oliver returning to Nevada, you can pencil them in as one of the favorites to win the Mountain West regular season title.
The Wolf Pack are returning four starters which includes Oliver and four transfers who are eligible to play this season. With the returning talent coming back to Nevada, the Wolf Pack look to challenge the San Diego State Aztecs for the top spot in the Mountain West Conference in 2016-2017.