Dayton Flyers point guard John Crosby returning to team

Dayton Flyers point guard John Crosby changed his mind about leaving the program and will return for the 2017-18 season, UD announced Tuesday.

Crosby, a 6-foot-2 guard from Baltimore, Md., who is entering his junior season, told coach Anthony Grant on April 17 he wanted to transfer. He was granted his release from the program.

“With the coaching change, my family advised me to ask for my release to allow me to consider my options,” Crosby said in a statement. “The more I thought about the possibility of leaving, the more I realized how much I love my teammates and love the University of Dayton. I have asked coach Grant to allow me to remain on the team, and I really appreciate getting this opportunity. I am excited about our team and my role on it.”

RELATED: Crosby silences critics with big game

With Scoochie Smith graduating, Crosby’s decision left UD without a point guard committed to the program for next season.

Now it has two point guards going into next season.

“John and I have met on multiple occasions since he requested his release,” Grant said in a statement. “He has expressed a desire to remain at UD and pursue his goals and dreams within the parameters of our team. John has always been a respectful young man and is well-liked by his teammates and those around the program. We look forward to having John as a member of our team as move ahead to the 2017-18 season.”

With Crosby returning, Dayton has 12 scholarship players, though the status of forward Ryan Mikesell, who will be a junior, is in question because he has to undergo offseason surgeries this month and next on both hips for hip impingements.

RELATED: Mikesell facing six-month recovery

Crosby appeared in 32 of 33 games as a freshman, averaging 2.4 points and 0.9 assists in 9.1 minutes per game. His playing time increased to 13.3 minutes as a sophomore. He appeared in all 32 games and averaged 2.8 points and 1.2 assists.

Crosby’s turnover average jumped from 0.8 as a freshman to 1.1 as a sophomore. In 2016-17, he showed a strong outside shooting touch, making 11 of 23 3-pointers (47.8 percent) but struggled to finish at the basket, shooting 28.9 percent on two-point attempts.

Crosby’s turnover numbers improved as the season progressed. He had one turnover in his final six games (32 total minutes).

Crosby played his best game of the season Feb. 21 in a victory over George Mason at UD Arena. He had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 12 minutes and starred in a decision second-half run. He played three minutes in the NCAA tournament loss to Wichita State.

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