Mason Plumlee will return for his senior season in 2012-13 despite being projected as a first round pick in the upcoming draft.

“I am really excited about my decision to come back,” Plumlee said. “What it came down to was the people here and the relationships that I have developed. I feel like this is the best place for me to improve, and that is one of the most important things to me.”

Plumlee has NBA-level size and athleticism, but needs to become a better low-post scorer and free throw shooter.

“Mason tried as best he could to be objective and keep an open mind through this process,” said Mason’s father, Perky Plumlee. “He tried to go with his gut. Like every player, you are self-critical. You recognize those areas where you are strong and those areas where you want to get better.

“After a lot of discussions with Coach K, Coach K has convinced him that they are committed to helping Mason in those areas where he needs to grow. Mason could have done that in the NBA, but Mason has decided the best place for him to do that was at Duke.”