AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas men’s basketball team will have another important weapon when it returns to the hardcourt in the fall.

ESPN reports freshman forward Dillon Mitchell confirmed that he will withdraw his name from the 2023 NBA draft and return to Austin.

ESPN projected him as the No. 41 prospect in the draft. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 minutes per game last season.

Texas made it to the Elite Eight, falling to Miami, 88-81.

Mitchell has outstanding defensive capabilities, but ESPN noted lackluster offensive production limited his playing time. He shot 64% from the field but attempted just 3.1 shots per game.

Still, ESPN referred to Mitchel as “one of the most explosive athletes in the college game” and predicted he will increase his offensive production during his sophomore outing.

Texas in March named Rodney Terry its full-time head coach.

Texas won the Big 12 Tournament championship under Terry and questions about his future with the program were amplified as the Longhorns kept winning in the postseason. Texas fans wondered what more he needed to prove and Longhorns players publicly advocated for him to get the job.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.