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Elijah Stewart To Return To USC Basketball After NBA Draft Snafu

By Alicia de Artola

Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) reacts with teammates at the end of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. USC defeated SMU 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans guard Elijah Stewart (30) reacts with teammates at the end of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. USC defeated SMU 66-65. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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USC basketball guard Elijah Stewart is set to return to the Trojans for his senior season after declining to enter the 2017 NBA Draft as expected.

As it turns out, Elijah Stewart is not leaving USC basketball after all. The guard had declared his intentions to test the NBA Draft waters in early April, but is now set to return to the Trojans.

Stewart did not submit the necessary paperwork to declare for the draft on time, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com. He had previously indicated that he would enter the draft pool without hiring an agent, leaving the door open for a return to USC.

However, the player indicated on Twitter that he did not miss the deadline accidentally.

Regardless of how he got there, his return is now guaranteed, leaving just Bennie Boatwright and Shaqquan Aaron as potential departures for the Trojans after Chimezie Metu announced his decision to come back for his junior season.

MORE: Chimezie Metu Turns Down NBA

Stewart was a key figure for USC as a junior during the 2016-17 season, averaging 12.3 points per game with 43.1 percent accuracy from the field.

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A streaky shooter, Stewart opened the season with 30 points against Montana and had 22 points in USC’s NCAA Tournament upset of SMU, including the game winner in the final seconds.

His decision to enter the draft was met with some skepticism, however, as he was considered a fringe NBA prospect and unlikely to be drafted.

USC exceeded expectations this past season, advancing to the Round of 32 in the tournament. Expectations are likely to be higher this time around with Metu and Stewart coming back, along with an exciting freshman class.

CHECK OUT: USC’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 Round Up

Should Boatwright and Aaron opt to withdraw from the draft pool after the NBA Combine, the Trojans will be considered a favorite to compete for the Pac-12 title.

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