Baylor's Bruce Withdraws From Draft, Will Return To School

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Baylor guard Aaron Bruce has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return for his senior season.<br/><br/>Bruce, who didn't hire an agent, worked out for Dallas, Houston and San

Monday, June 18th 2007, 2:30 pm

By: News On 6

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Baylor guard Aaron Bruce has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return for his senior season.

Bruce, who didn't hire an agent, worked out for Dallas, Houston and San Antonio before pulling out of the draft over the weekend. Monday was the deadline for players who didn't hire an agent to withdraw from the draft.

The 6â€™3 Australian has averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 assists and 40% shooting on 3-pointers in three seasons with the Bears. He has started 74 games.

"I've ventured through this process, and now I have a chance to return to Baylor and turn things around and go to the NCAA tournament," Bruce said in a statement released by the school Monday. "That's been my dream all along."

Bruce has played on several Australian national teams, including at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan. He ranks third in Baylor history in 3-point shooting at 39.9%, and he was the nation's leading freshman scorer at 18.2 points per game in 2004-05.

"This was a great process for Aaron to go through," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "It will help him with what he'll be doing next year."