=== Ohio State's Thomas to return for junior season ===
 
 Columbus,  OH  (Sports Network)  -  Ohio  State  forward Deshaun  Thomas  will
 return for his junior season, head coach Thad Matta announced Friday.
 
 "Deshaun,  his  family  and  our  coaching staff  have  spent  the  last  week
 evaluating  his future,"  said Matta. "Deshaun determined he wants to remain a
 Buckeye. We are looking forward to building on the success our team enjoyed in
 2011-12 with Deshaun playing a significant role next year."
 
 Thomas  led  the Buckeyes  in scoring  and rebounding, at  15.9 points and 5.4
 boards per game respectively, as the team won the Big Ten regular season title
 for the third consecutive year and advanced to the Final Four.
 
 "We have a great team returning next season and I want to be a part of another
 championship  run,"  Thomas said.  "My family,  my coaches and  I looked at my
 future  as a  professional but I love  being a Buckeye and want to continue my
 education and development as a player and as a person at Ohio State.
 
 "If I do have an opportunity to play basketball professionally, I want to have
 an immediate impact," he added. "Working with my teammates and coaches at Ohio
 State will help me achieve my future goals."
 
 Thomas  shot 52  percent from the field (243-of-467) last season and scored 96
 points in Ohio State's five NCAA Tournament games.
 
 
 
 
 04/06 17:44:42 ET

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