CLEMSON — Clemson basketball player K.C. Rivers thought long and hard about testing the waters of the NBA draft, but the rising senior decided on Tuesday he will not forgo his senior season and will return to school next fall.

“He considered making himself available for the NBA draft, but after evaluating the situation, has decided it is best for his future, on and off the court, to return to Clemson,” Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said.

Rivers was Clemson’s top scorer on the Tigers’ 24-10 team that ranked 22nd in the final Associated Press poll. The Charlotte native earned second-team All-ACC honors this past season and was first-team All-ACC tournament last year as well.

“I am thrilled to come back to Clemson for my senior year,” Rivers said. “I obviously want to return and get my degree, but we have basketball goals to achieve. We improved last year, but there is more to do. I want to return and compete for an ACC Championship.”

Rivers averaged 14.7 points per game during the 2007-2008 season, when he scored an even 500 points in 34 games. One of the top all-around players in the ACC, he ranked among the top 10 players in the league in steals, three-point goals, and was in the top 15 in scoring and rebounding.

“He is a returning All-ACC player who will undoubtedly be one of our leaders next season,” Purnell said. “With the graduation of an outstanding senior class this year, his leadership will be very important.”

Rivers also averaged 6.3 rebounds per game, third on the team, and was among the ACC leaders in rebounds by non-frontcourt players. He had 64 steals and just 38 turnovers last year and now has 155 career steals and 130 turnovers. He is one of two players in Clemson history with more steals than turnovers.

“We are very excited that K.C. Rivers will be returning for his senior season,” Purnell said.

He should be excited. Entering his senior year, Rivers is already19th in Clemson history with 1,231 career points. He is already in the top 25 in career rebounds with 528, and is fourth in three-point goals (212) and eighth in steals (155).

If he plays in just 17 victories this coming year he will break the school record for victories played. Cliff Hammonds and Elden Campbell currently hold the record with 84.