STANFORD — In a potential blow to Stanford’s return to the top of women’s basketball, three-year starting guard Lili Thompson won’t return for her senior season, the player’s father told this news organization Thursday.

Greg Thompson said in a text message that his daughter will remain on scholarship and graduate with her class. But he declined further comment about a situation in which the Cardinal’s second-leading scorer last season won’t return to the court.

The school issued a similar statement as Greg Thompson when asked for comment. A Stanford spokesman said coach Tara VanDerveer would not be available to answer questions.

Thompson averaged 14.7 points per game last season, just behind fellow junior Erica McCall at 14.9 points. The two players along with junior starter Karlie Samuelson were expected to lead Stanford in the upcoming season with a veteran team.

The Cardinal reached the Elite Eight this year by stunning top-seeded Notre Dame in a regional semifinal game.

The 5-foot-7 Thompson is a two-time all-Pac-12 performer who also made the conference’s all-freshman team. The Texan started 96 of the 104 games that she played for VanDerveer. Thompson averaged 12.0 points in her college career and added 295 assists.

Stanford expects to have freshmen guards DiJonai Carrington and Anna Wilson, the sister of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, on the roster when the season begins in November.

Contact Elliott Almond at 408-920-5865. Follow Elliott Almond on Twitter at Twitter.com/ElliottAlmond.