Boise State Basketball: Chandler Hutchison to return for senior season

Feb 28, 2017; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos guard Chandler Hutchison (15) drives the ball to the basket during second half action against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Taco Bell Arena. Fresno State defeats Boise State 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boise State Broncos received good news with leading scorer Chandler Hutchison withdrawing from NBA Draft.

After initially declaring for the draft, the Boise State Broncos leading scorer changed his mind.

Boise State announced Thursday that guard Chandler Hutchison will withdraw from the draft and return for his senior season.

Hutchison declared for the NBA Draft in April, but he didn’t sign with an agent. He did private workouts with several NBA teams, according to the school.

In the statement released by the school, Hutchison cited his interest in helping Boise State win the Mountain West next season as one of his reasons for returning.

Boise State had a solid season in 2016-17. They went 20-12 on the season and 12-6 in the conference, finishing third.

The news of Hutchison withdrawing from the NBA Draft is no doubt good news for Boise State.

Hutchison is a big reason why the Broncos had a lot of success in 2016-17. He led the team in scoring, averaging 17.4 points per game, fourth in the Mountain West, and a career-best.

In addition, Hutchison led the team and finished sixth in the Mountain West in rebounding with 7.8 boards per game.

With Hutchison back, Boise State will have their top two scorers back, the other being sophomore Paris Austin.

Boise State needs Hutchison leading the charge if they want to win the Mountain West next season. They need him to compete against what could be a loaded conference, with teams like the defending conference champion Nevada Wolf Pack, Colorado State, even New Mexico.

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The Broncos have stayed busy recruiting this offseason, adding Allen High School (Texas) recruit Cameron Christon and Fordham graduate transfer Christian Sengfelder.

Boise State head coach Leon Rice might have the right combination to win the Mountain West Conference next season and get the Broncos back to the NCAA Tournament.