UConn Huskies guard Ryan Boatright has decided to return for his senior season and help the team make another postseason run.

Unfortunately for Boatright, UConn is losing seniors Niels Giffey, Tyler Olander, Shabazz Napier and junior forward DeAndre Daniels. Boatright told the Aurora Beacon-News the decision was "extremely tough" and he plans to boost his draft stock by leading the Huskies the way Napier and former Husky Kemba Walker have done before him.

"From what I understand, I can improve my stock by showing I can run a team and be a go-to man. Plus, I've always wanted to get my degree," Boatright said. "I promised my mom I would do that."

An East Aurora High School graduate, Boatright told the newspaper why he made his decision shortly after Daniels, his teammate at roommate for three years, declared for the NBA Draft. The six-foot guard said the two planned to enter the NBA together since they joined the Huskies that way.

"He had to do what was best for him and his family and I had to do the same," Boatright said last week. "He's 6-9 and we have different situations."

At six feet tall, Boatright is not undersized, but he will be restricted to playing guard, unlike Daniels who could theoretically alternate between small forward and shooting guard. He is just one inch shorter than his UConn guard predecessors, Napier and Walker.

UConn has a certain reputation for churning out talented guards, like the two aforementioned and players like Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon. He added the NBA Draft contributed to his decision to stay, since he wants to be a first round pick eventually.

"I could have gotten drafted this year, but it wasn't going to be where I always dreamed of being drafted, which is the first round," Boatright said.

It is still unclear if UConn coach Kevin Ollie will seriously consider a jump to the NBA, but his stock is soaring after leading the Huskies to the National Championship. UConn is reportedly negotiating a raise for Ollie that would double his salary.

"[Ollie] said, ‘I know you ‘Boat' and you're not OK sitting on the bench,'" Boatright said. "He wanted to give me the best opportunity to play (when he does reach the NBA).

"(Ollie) wanted me to come back to school and told me, ‘I believe in you and believe you can play in the NBA.'"