Notre Dame junior V.J. Beachem announced over the weekend that he will return to school for the 2016-17 season.
Thankful for the opportunity to experience the NBA Draft process and invites to workout for teams but now I'm ready to lead @ndmbb #IMBACK
— V.J. Beachem (@VjBeachem) May 2, 2016
Last season, the 6-8, 200-pound forward averaged 10.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range. He led the Fighting Irish in long-range buckets with 88 on the year.
Beachem played a key role for Mike Brey’s squad down the stretch. In a comeback win over Duke in the ACC Tournament, he scored nine points in the final seven minutes of regulation to force overtime before finishing with 19 points. He also averaged 17.5 points per game in the NCAA tournament.
After the season, Brey encouraged the Fort Wayne, Indiana, producted to test the NBA waters to receive feedback. He was one of two Irish underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft, joining fellow junior Demetrius Jackson, who will stay in the draft.
Beachem will be one of three starters returning to Notre Dame next year, along with junior guard Steve Vasturia and sophomore forward Bonzie Colson. That trio was responsible for 46 percent of the scoring on a Fighting Irish team that finished fifth in the ACC standings.