Oklahoma State's freshmen guard Marcus Smart will return for his sophomore season and will not enter the NBA Draft. Smart was a projected Top 5 pick in the NBA Draft according to Yahoo! Sports. With players like Michael Carter Williams, Otto Porter Jr., Cody Zeller, Ben McLemore, and Victor Oladipo entering the NBA Draft this season, it sure is a surprise to see that Marcus Smart, a freshmen with a high draft stock, turn down the NBA and return for another season at college.
With Marcus Smart staying, Oklahoma State will have all of their returning starters back next year as they look to be early favorites next year in the Big 12 with explosive players like Le'Bryan Nash and Markel Brown, and shooters like Phil Forte.
Of course you can't overlook Kansas next season in the Big 12 with winning 9 straight regular season titles, but Kansas is losing all of their starters from this year as Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey, Kevin Young, and Ben McLemore are leaving. Andrew Wiggins still hasn't made a decision yet of where he is going, as he is one of the top recruits from Canada. Wiggins is considering Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Ohio State, and Florida State.
Oklahoma State split with Kansas last season, defeating Kansas 85-80 as the Cowboys put an end to the Jayhawks 33 home game win streak. Oklahoma State then only lost by one in double overtime, 68-67 in Stillwater.
You have to believe Oklahoma State and Kansas will be in a race for the Big 12 regular season title all throughout next season. And clearly Marcus Smart staying is a huge advantage for Oklahoma State.
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