Kenny Boynton set to return for senior season

Florida Gators junior guard Kenny Boynton made it official Thursday morning, announcing on Twitter that he has decided to return to school for his senior season.

To confirm the questions being ask lately I have reached a decision and I am returning to Gainesville for my senior season #go gators

— K.B (@K_Boynton1) April 5, 2012

The Gators’ leading scorer this past season, Boynton averaged 15.9 points per game while also registering 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.8 steals in 31.6 minutes. He shot 44.0 percent from the field, 75.4 percent from the line and 40.7 percent from downtown, making strides in his overall game play and improving his stroke from beyond the arc by 7.6 percent compared to his sophomore season.

Boynton registered 15 or more points in 20 of Florida’s first 28 games but struggled towards the end of the season, only eclipsing that figure once over the team’s last nine contests in a third-round NCAA Tournament game against No. 15-seed Norfolk State. He shot 33.0 percent from the field and 26.8 percent from three over that nine-game stretch and would undoubtedly like to end his career on a higher note.

With Boynton returning to the Gators, he has the unique opportunity to become the school’s all-time leader in a number of major categories including (among others) scoring, games started, minutes played and three-point field goals made.

Boynton is the third non-senior to commit to returning to Florida for the 2012-13 season, joining sophomore Patric Young and redshirt junior G Mike Rosario. The Gators are still waiting to hear from freshman G Bradley Beal, who could reportedly take until April 29 to decide whether or not he will enter his name into the 2012 NBA Draft. Beal is considered a consensus lottery selection and potential top-five pick who has been projected to go as high as No. 3 overall in the draft.

Photo Credit: FOX Sports Florida