Oregon State announced Monday afternoon that forward Eric Moreland will return to the Beavers program for his junior season, pulling his name out of the 2013 NBA Draft.
The 6-10, 215-pound redshirt sophomore averaged 9.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and set a program record with 2.5 blocked shots per game last season. He’s already second in the Beavers’ record books with 145 career blocks. He was named to the Pac-12 Conference All-Defensive Team as an honorable mention as a result.
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Craig Robinson will need Moreland back next season, which could prove to be one that leads to his firing or an extension after going 14-18 this year. Six players who played extensive minutes are expected to be back for Oregon State, including five of their top six scorers, with Devon Collier (12.6 points per game) and Roberto Nelson (17.8 points) leading the way.
With an additional year to improve his offensive numbers, he was fifth on the team in scoring and shot just 56.6 percent from the free throw line last season, Moreland could be a fringe first rounder next season.
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