Caris LeVert says he's '100 percent' returning to Michigan, plans to attend Kevin Durant Skill Academy this summer

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Caris LeVert was one of two Michigan players to start all 37 games last season and will be the Wolverines' leading returning scorer in 2014-15 at 12.9 points per game.

(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR -- Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III might be heading out the Michigan basketball door, but one sophomore garnering NBA attention is assuring he's staying put.

Caris LeVert, a second team All-Big Ten selection in 2013-14 and rising prospect on many NBA draft boards, said Tuesday he's "obviously coming back" for his junior season at U-M.

"That's 100 percent -- I'm coming back," LeVert said Tuesday night, following Michigan's 53rd annual team awards banquet at Crisler Center.

LeVert confirmed that he joined Stauskas, Robinson and fellow sophomore Mitch McGary in applying for an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee following the end of season.

"There was definitely a time when I talked (about considering entering the draft) over with (the coaching staff) and my mom, but, I mean, it was kind of an easy decision for me," LeVert said.

LeVert also said he has earned an invite to the Kevin Durant Skills Academy and "will probably attend" the camp in late June.

"When I got the invitation I was very excited about that," LeVert said. "That was definitely a big day for me."

A 6-foot-6 guard who was one of two U-M players to start all 37 games last season, LeVert will be the Wolverines' leading returning scorer in 2014-15 at 12.9 points per game.

After a breakout season in 2013-14, he's now appearing as a first-round pick in 2015 mock drafts.

A little over a week ago, LeVert was named as a 2014-15 preseason first team All-American by ESPN college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman. He was listed alongside highly touted freshmen Cliff Alexander (Kansas) and Jahlil Okafor (Duke), and fellow juniors Georges Niang (Iowa State) and Marcus Paige (North Carolina).

Goodman wrote of LeVert: "Nik Stauskas made the huge jump last season, and look for LeVert to do it next year. He's long, can score in a variety of ways and is also a terrific defender."

"Obviously it's different for me," LeVert said of the attention. "I've never been the type of guy to get a lot of recognition like that, especially before a season, so it's just a different process, but it's exciting."

LeVert said declaring for the 2014 draft never entered his mind as his sophomore season took shape.

Now penciled in a Michigan's top returning player next season, LeVert said, "Obviously they're looking for more of a leadership role for me this year and I'm definitely ready to take on that role."

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball and football. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com

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