Pinson, Smith, Tilmon withdraw from NBA draft, will return to Mizzou

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri basketball players Xavier Pinson, Mitchell Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon Jr. withdrew from the NBA draft Friday and will return to the Tigers for the upcoming season.

Pinson started 31 games as a sophomore last season, averaging 11.1 points while shooting 40% from the field. The 6-foot-10 Smith will be a fifth-year senior after averaging 5.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. Tilmon also will be a senior and has averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 boards over 81 games in his career.

Coach Cuonzo Martin’s roster will have 11 players who are juniors or seniors, the most in the Southeastern Conference and third-most among all Power Five programs. They will have just one true freshman on the roster this season.

Missouri went 15-16 last season, its second consecutive losing season among Martin’s three seasons in Columbia.