May 2, 2016

University of Notre Dame men’s basketball rising senior forward V.J. Beachem has withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2016 NBA Draft. Beachem took advantage of a change in NCAA regulations to gauge his status in the upcoming draft without signing with an agent and but has decided to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2016-17 season.

Beachem was named to the 2016 NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team, averaging 17.5 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per contest as the Irish advanced to their second consecutive NCAA Elite Eight. For the season, Beachem doubled both his scoring (5.9 to 12.0 per game) and rebounding (1.4 to 3.9 per game) from his sophomore to junior season.

Over the second half of the season (final 18 games), Beachem averaged 13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg and shot .449 (44-98) from three point range.