Tavernari to Return for Senior Season

PROVO -- BYU forward Jonathan Tavernari has withdrawn his name from the 2009 NBA Draft and will return to the Cougars for his senior season. Tavernari declared for the NBA draft on April 22 but did not hire an agent to maintain his eligibility for his senior season.

“After consulting with my family and coaches I have decided that the best thing for me is to return to school to complete my education and play my senior season,” Tavernari said. “Next year’s team has a chance to be special. I have great teammates and great coaches and I look forward to being part of the program and competing for a fourth consecutive conference title.”

The 6-foot-6 Tavernari is the only player in the Mountain West Conference returning for the 2009-10 season with three MWC honors on his resume. In 2007 he was the MWC freshman of the year before earning third-team honors the past two seasons. In 2008-09 Tavernari averaged 15.7 points and led the team in rebounds (7.2) and made threes (85) while finishing second in steals (49).

The Sao Bernardo, Brazil, native has helped BYU win three MWC regular season titles and has a chance to become the first Cougar to win four conference titles. Tavernari has helped BYU to a 77-25 (.755) overall record and 39-9 (.813) conference record in his three seasons. He has also helped the Cougars reach the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons and has a chance to help lead BYU to a fourth-straight appearance for the first time since 1990-93.

In three seasons Tavernari has made his mark among BYU’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories. He owns the top two marks for threes in a season with 88 in 2007-08 and 85 in 2008-09 and is second all-time in career threes (202) and career attempts from downtown (535). Tavernari owns the single-season record for consecutive games with a made three (22) set in 2008-09. He is also 25th all-time in scoring (1,157 points) and 10th in career steals (115).

Last summer Tavernari was the lone non-professional to earn a spot on the 2008 Brazilian Senior National Team that played in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens. He will join the Brazilian National Team again this summer and play in several exhibition games and tournaments, including the FIBA Americas Championship for a chance to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.