Abdul-Malik Abu withdraws from NBA draft, will return to NC State

NC State got a huge boost for next season Thursday, as star forward Abdul-Malik Abu is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning for his junior season.

Abu was a force on the block for the Wolfpack in the 2015-16 season, leading the team with 8.8 rebounds per contest and finishing second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game.

While Abu weighed the possibility of an early exit to the professional ranks, it was also rumored he might consider transferring should he return to college.

Following the early NBA defection of star guard Cat Barber, and the transfers of twins Caleb and Cody Martin, the Wolfpack were left woefully thin for next season. Abu's decision to return to the ACC is huge for Mark Gottfried's club as they hope to rebound from a 16-17 campaign.