You can come home again

Sloan and Davis return to Aggieland

By: Brett Sebastian

Posted: 6/17/09

While former Aggie graduate Chinemelu Elonu decided to begin his professional career yesterday by declaring for the NBA draft, he was not the only Aggie with a tough decision to make. Seniors Brian Davis and Donald Sloan, who had previously entered the draft, withdrew at the deadline and announced their intentions to return to Texas A&M for the senior season.

"It was an education process for me and it taught me a lot," Sloan said to Aggieathletics.com. "I'm anxious to come back to A&M with a strong senior season and compete for championships."

Sloan led the Aggies in assists and was second in scoring to graduated senior Josh Carter. Davis averaged double-digit points and recorded 46 blocked shots as a center.

Sloan declared for the NBA draft on April 13, putting his name on the draft board, but didn't hire an agent. If he had hired an agent NCAA rules would have prevented him from returning for his senior season. Elonu and Davis declared similarly, on April 20, for the June 25 draft.

"It's always been my goal to play in the NBA, and going through this process will give me some idea about where I may be projected," Davis said shortly after his initial declaration. "Coach (Mark) Turgeon is supporting me and, if things don't work out, I will come back and work even harder to make my senior season a special one for A&M."

Since their declarations, the teammates began workouts with various NBA teams in order to improve their draft value as well as their individual game and skills.

"Working out for the NBA teams was a great experience and I felt like it made me a better player," Davis said. "I'm looking forward to coming back and winning championships next season."

With the decision deadline Monday, Elonu decided to end his A&M career and test the professional waters. Sloan and Davis decided to return to Texas A&M.

The NBA draft consists of two rounds and 60 picks, with the Los Angeles Clippers picking first overall. Draft experts did not rate the Aggies highly. Sloan and Davis were not expected to be drafted while Elonu was projected as a possible second-round pick.

With Sloan and Davis' return comes senior leadership and a number of skills learned by competing against some of the best collegiate and amateur talent in the world.

"It was a good process for Sloan and Davis," Texas A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. "They learned a lot. They are ready to come back, lead the team and have great senior years."

The Aggies were 24-10 last year and bowed out in the second round to No. 1 seed UConn in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With the exception of Carter, Elonu, and Bryson Graham, the Aggies will return their entire roster for the 2009-2010 season.