Russ Smith has decided to remain at Louisville for his senior season, postponing the beginning of his NBA career.

Smith had been strongly declaring for the 2013 NBA Draft.

"I love these guys and this team, and I don't want to leave them right now," Smith said at the news conference.

"I never really got an official goodbye -- and that stuck with me. I wanted to do Senior Night."

Smith nearly transferred from Louisville after his freshman season, but helped lead the Cardinals to the 2013 National Championship.

Smith was considered a likely second round pick had he declared.

"The pros of staying were so much better than the pros of leaving," he said. "What was crazy, the pros for me leaving were very immature. You have to put the work in to get better, you have to do this and you have do that, those are all challenges and we both felt I'd be running away from getting better and maturing as a player if I just left. I have new goals and new challenges, and I'll reach them."