NBA Draft: Ashton Gibbs Comments On Decision

May 08 1:08p by Adam Bittner

On Saturday, we found out Pitt's star guard Ashton Gibbs intendeds to return to the Panthers next season rather than declare for the NBA Draft. Gibbs, who will be a senior in 2011-2012 averaged 16.8 points per game for Pitt in 2010-2011 as well as 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds. He was also lethal from the 3-point line as he hit 49% or his shots from the arc on the year.

Given all that, Panther fans will likely be thrilled to have him back next season, but as Gibbs tells Ray Fittipaldo in this morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it almost didn't happen.

"I was very close to keeping my name in," Gibbs said Saturday night. "When I entered the draft I entered it to stay in. It's what I set my mind to. There was no point to just go through the motions. But in the end, I felt like the NBA could wait for a year."

Gibbs did not disclose much of what NBA scouts told him in terms of feedback other than to say he has to "work on his body."

"It was nothing in particular," he said. "I'm really not worried about the NBA now. Right now, I'm a college player and I'll worry about the NBA next year."

Looks like his focus is already on improving next season as the Panthers look to rebound from a disappointing showing in the NCAA Tournament.