UofL: Clark will return for junior season

The University of Louisville confirmed Thursday what InsideTheVille.com and FoxSports.com reported the previous day - that 6-9 forward Earl Clark will return to Louisville for his junior season.

University of Louisville forward Earl Clark has chosen not place his name in the 2008 NBA Draft and intends to return for his junior season with the Cardinals.

"Earl is looking forward to having a great junior season," said U of L Head Coach Rick Pitino. "I'm delighted he has made the prudent decision to return to school. He'll definitely be one of the premier forward in college basketball next season. He's a hard worker that has really improved each day and will continue to do so."

Clark had initially told Pitino on April 3 of his intention to enter the draft before reconsidering. He had not filed the necessary paperwork to declare for the draft and has not signed with an agent.

During the Cardinals' NCAA Elite Eight tournament run, the 6-9 Clark averaged a team-leading 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and blocked seven shots while hitting 62.2 percent of his shots (23-of-37). An NCAA East Region All-Tournament selection, Clark produced a double-double in 10 games this season, the latest of which was 17 points, 12 rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists against Tennessee in the East Region semifinals.

In helping the Cardinals to a 27-9 record and second-place BIG EAST Conference finish, Clark averaged a team-high 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots and added 11.1 points per game. He was selected to the all-tournament team at the Las Vegas Invitational.