BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Western Kentucky center Chris Marcus, who missed all but 15 games last season because of an injury, has withdrawn his name from the NBA draft and will return to school for a final season of eligibility.

        “I've decided to pull my name out of the 2002 NBA draft because of my foot,” Marcus said at a news conference Friday. “I am physically unable to perform up to my capabilities right now.”

        The 7-foot-1, 285-pound center averaged 16.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in the games he played but struggled to return to form after missing two months with an injured ankle and a stress fracture in his left foot.

        The Hilltoppers finished 28-4 last year, losing to Stanford in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

        Marcus was the nation's leading rebounder for the 2000-2001 season and was an honorable mention All-American for two seasons.

        “I will be back at Western next year and take time to completely rehab my foot and prepare myself for the 2002-03 season, and for my future in professional basketball,” Marcus said Friday.

        Marcus, who never hired an agent, said he made the decision to return to school after consulting team doctor John Burch and two other foot experts.

        He had said in January he was ready to finish school and start a new chapter in his life.

        Marcus played only one season of high school basketball. He came to Western as a partial qualifier and sat out his freshman season. NCAA rules allow a player to earn that year back if he graduates within four years. Marcus took 20 credit hours last semester to ensure that he received his bachelor's degree in sociology in May.

        Western will be trying for a third straight Sun Belt Conference title and NCAA tournament bid next season. If Marcus returns, it would give the Hilltoppers all but one starter back from last year's team.

        “Our team will certainly benefit from his presence in the middle for one more season, and I know that Western Kentucky fans across the country will rejoice at the sight of Chris in a Hilltopper uniform next season,” Western Kentucky coach Dennis Felton said.

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