It's only May, but it sounds like Fran Dunphy's Temple Owls just got a big boost for next season.
Star forward Obi Enechionyia will pull his name out of the upcoming NBA draft and will return to North Broad Street for his senior season.
CBSSports' Jon Rothstein first broke word of Enechionyia's decision Monday morning.
The 6-foot-10 Enechionyia was the Owls' leading rebounder last season with 5.8 boards per game. He was also second on the team in scoring with an average of 13.1 points per game. He dropped a season-high 26 points on rival St. Joe's during a 78-72 win on Hawk Hill in November.
Enechionyia can be a matchup problem for opponents with his length and his ability to stretch the floor. He shot 41 percent from field last season and 39 percent from three-point range. He will undoubtedly be the Owls' top frontcourt option this coming year.
But his mentorship and experience will be a big factor this season for the Owls, who will have to lean on underclassmen such as guards Shizz Alston, Alani Moore and Quinton Rose to pick up more of the scoring slack. Enechionyia, guard Josh Brown and role player Mike Robbins are the only remaining Owls who played in the 2016 NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Iowa. The 16-16 Owls did not advance to a postseason tournament last season.
Enechionyia declared for the draft in late March, but did not hire an agent, leaving him eligible to withdraw from the draft. He did not receive an invite to the recent NBA combine, but did have a private workout with the Boston Celtics in recent days.
The deadline for players without agents to withdraw from the draft is this Wednesday.