Columbia, SC -- (Sports Network) - South Carolina point guard Devan Downey has decided to return to school for his senior season and has withdrawn his name from the 2009 NBA Draft.

"I want to thank my coaches, teammates and fans for being so supportive throughout this process," Downey said. "It was a great experience for me, but the best decision for me right now is to come back to school."

Downey led the Gamecocks with 19.8 points per game last season and totaled 614 points, which is the most by a South Carolina player since the 1980-1981 season. His 192 career steals rank fourth in school annals and he netted double-digit points in 30 of the team's 31 games.

Downey helped South Carolina to record of 21-10 with a 10-6 mark in the SEC. The Gamecocks tied Tennessee for first in the SEC East, but lost to Mississippi State in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament and suffered a first-round setback to Davidson in the NIT.