Mitch McGary backed away on Friday from plans to return to Michigan for his sophomore season.

McGary had previously declared he would be "100 percent" returning for another year in Ann Arbor.

"I was misunderstood, I kind of got caught off guard," McGary said. "That's kind of a question that's ill-advised right now.

"We're trying to focus on Syracuse."

McGary’s NBA draft stock has soared after strong performances against Kansas’ Jeff Withey and Florida’s Patric Young.

"Maybe a few weeks after the season's over, somebody can ask me that question again," McGary said.