LSU G Smart withdraws from NBA draft

Reuters

LSU guard Javonte Smart withdrew from the NBA draft and will return to Baton Rouge for his sophomore season in 2019-20.

Smart announced his decision Saturday night on social media.

He started 18 of his 34 games with the Tigers last season, averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals for the SEC regular-season champions.

Smart's freshman season wasn't without controversy, however. The school held him out of the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt following reports that an FBI wiretap had recorded LSU coach Will Wade discussing a strong "offer" for a recruit.

That recruit was believed to be Smart, who was reinstated for the SEC tournament and ultimately helped the Tigers reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

"Smart has fully cooperated and participated in a joint inquiry with LSU and the NCAA resulting from reports of wiretapped conversations purportedly involving Head Coach Will Wade," the university said in a statement when Smart was reinstated. "Though the inquiry is not closed, after multiple additional interviews, there has been no wrongdoing identified to date."

A native of Baton Rouge, Smart was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2018 and ranked as the state's No. 1 player by the 247Sports composite.

--Field Level Media