Marcus Smart Returning To OSU

Sources tell News 9's Dean Blevins that Marcus Smart is returning for his sophomore season.

Smart was a projected top-five pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and some had him projected as high as No. 1 overall.

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The Flower Mound, Texas, native won Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Year this past season, joining Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley as the only players to ever achieve the feat.

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He averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and three steals per game as a freshman at OSU, leading the Cowboys to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2010.

Smart is expected to make it public at a news conference in OSU's student union tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Teammates Markel Brown and LeBryan Nash are also expected to attend, and announce that they will also be back next year.

Sources said Smart's mother wanted him to return to OSU and he had a strong pull to stay with his teammates and long-time friend Phil Forte for another year.

It is expected Smart will take out an insurance policy that will helpe protect him in case of injury.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.