Associated Press Published

West Virginia’s Konate Withdraws from NBA Draft

West Virginia's Sagaba Konate sets to shoot during practice at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Boston, Thursday, March 22, 2018. West Virginia faces Villanova in a regional semifinal.

West Virginia men’s basketball team forward Sagaba Konate has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return to school for the 2018-19 season.

West Virginia announced Konate’s intentions Thursday, May 24.

Konate entered the draft process last month but didn’t hire an agent. He had until May 30 to decide whether to return to school or remain in the draft.

Konate averaged 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots per game as a sophomore. His 116 blocks were second all-time for a season in school history to D’or Fischer’s 124 in 2003-04.

West Virginia forward Esa Ahmad also withdrew his name from the draft earlier this month.