MitchMcGaryNetNCAAelite8.jpg

Michigan's Mitch McGary cuts down the net after the Florida win. (Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan forward Mitch McGary has surged up NBA draft boards after averaging a double-double in four tournament games.

ESPN's Chad Ford projects the freshman as a first-round prospect.

But McGary is very clear: He plans to return for his sophomore season.

"I haven’t even thought about (leaving),” he told MLive.com after practice Tuesday at the Crisler Center. “I don’t have a decision to make -- I’m coming back.”

Is he 100 percent sure?

“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “I’m coming back.”

McGary has averaged 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds since replacing Jordan Morgan in the starting lineup for the tournament. He posted back-to-back double-doubles against VCU and Kansas, becoming the first Michigan player to accomplish that feat in the Big Dance since Robert Traylor in 1998.

He was just a rebound short against South Dakota State and Florida of making it four double-doubles.

McGary seemed to boost his pro stock against the Jayhawks, when he posted career highs of 25 points and 14 rebounds against 7-foot All-America candidate Jeff Withey.

"McGary's situation is unique. He didn't play big minutes, or a starting role on Michigan until the Big Ten Tournament. Now that he's gotten a major role, you have to evaluate him differently," Ford wrote.

"What if McGary declares for the NBA draft this year? I think he goes somewhere in the first round. Where will likely depend on workouts."

But it appears the pros will wait for at least another year.

-- Download the Michigan football on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Download the Michigan basketball on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Kyle Meinke and Nick Baumgardner on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Michigan Wolverines Facebook page