Trevon Bluiett, a potential preseason All-American, will return to Xavier for his senior season, multiple sources told CBS Sports.
Bluiett called Xavier coach Chris Mack on Tuesday evening to tell him the news that Musketeer fans have been hoping to hear for weeks. Bluiett will have an opportunity to be the Big East Player of the Year, and certainly could set a career high in scoring. Bluiett has been an impact player since he arrived at Xavier, with his scoring average going up each year, from 11.0 to 15.1 to 18.5.
He also has averaged more than five rebounds per game in his three seasons with the Muskies. Bluiett will be the centerpiece on a Xavier team ranked 25th in our Way Too Early Top 25 (and one). Joining him next year will be returning pieces J.P. Macura, Sean O'Mara, Kaiser Gates and Quintin Goodin. The Musketeers also bring in four-star point guard Paul Scruggs along with four-star small forward Naji Marshall. In addition to that, Karem Kanter -- younger brother of NBA player Enes Kanter -- will be on the roster.
The Musketeers went 24-14 last season, hampered by the season-ending injury of Edmond Sumner, who has opted to forgo his college eligibility and stay in the 2017 draft pool. Xavier rallied in the NCAA Tournament, making the Elite Eight as an 11-seed, beating No. 6 Maryland, No. 3 Florida State and No. 2 Arizona before falling to top-seeded Gonzaga in the West Regional final.
Bluiett was one of the 10 most impressive performers in the 2017 tournament, averaging 21.3 points in four games. If he returns as an ever better player -- and Xavier is consistently a Top 25 team -- then he's likely to be a preseason and end-of-season All-America selection. For more background on Bluiett, read our feature and understand his upbringing as the son of two former Marines.
