A RIVER RUNS BACK THROUGH CLEMSON

Clemson's K.C. Rivers decided on Tuesday to return to the Tigers for his senior season.

Rivers was Clemson's leading scorer last season, averaging 14.7 points a game. The Tigers went 24-10 and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade, and the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament finals for just the second time in their history.

Clemson coach Oliver Purnell last month said there was a chance Rivers might give up his final year for the NBA draft. But Rivers says he wanted to return to achieve academic and basketball goals.

Clemson will have some big basketball shoes to fill in Purnell's sixth season. Forwards James Mays and Sam Perry, along with guard Cliff Hammonds, were all seniors this past winter.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press