Colson To Return For Irish

Written on April 10, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Categories: Sports Archive 2017

Tags: bethel college women's basketball, bonzie colson, god country notre dame

SOUTH BEND – The Notre Dame men’s basketball program got some good news today.

Junior forward Bonzie Colson, the top scorer and rebounder for the Irish this past season, announced that he will return for his final year next season.

“After a lot of discussion with my family and Coach Brey about possibly entering the NBA Draft this season, I have decided to pursue my dream of earning a degree from the University of Notre Dame and return for my final year of eligibility,” Colson said in a statement released by the team.

“I promised myself and my family when I committed to Notre Dame that I would earn a degree from the University and help lead the program to new heights. Returning to play another season with my brothers and the possibility of hanging more banners in Purcell Pavilion and establishing ourselves as one of the best teams in program history is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Colson led the Irish in scoring (17.8 ppg) and rebounds (10.1 rpg) in 2016-17 while earning first-team all-ACC honors.

“It is exciting to know that Bonzie will be back for his final season,” Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said in a statement. “He has an opportunity to finish his career as one of the best to take the court here and I am impressed with the way he has handled this decision.”

The Irish lose seniors VJ Beachem and Steve Vasturia to graduation and reserve Matt Ryan announced last week he would transfer.

Colson was a third team AP All-American after his outstanding season where he led the Irish to a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the finals of the ACC Tournament. He posted eight 20-point scoring performances in the final 12 games of the season, including a 29-point effort in the ACC Championship final against Duke.