Maryland point guard Anthony Cowan announced he will return to play his senior season with the Terrapins, making it official on the eve of the midnight deadline to withdraw his name from the NBA draft.

Cowan posted a professionally-produced video to social media Wednesday afternoon to make the announcement, in which the Bowie, Maryland, native recalled hearing about Terrapin basketball “my entire life” and expressing his desire to continue in the path of Len Bias, Walt Williams and Juan Dixon.

“The way last season ended cut deep,” Cowan said, referring to Maryland’s last-second loss to LSU in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. “I thought about that game every single day. It drives me every single day … You and me, we have unfinished business.

Cowan, who took on a leadership role as a junior, led the team in scoring (15.6 points per game), assists (4.4 per game) and steals (0.9 per game) last year.

He was scheduled to participate in a pre-draft workout for the Sacramento Kings Wednesday, but ultimately decided the pros could wait one more year.

“Anthony made a smart decision educating himself about the draft process and gaining feedback necessary to help prepare for the future,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said. “He was able to work out for NBA teams and gain insight that will ultimately make him better. Anthony is a competitor who loves this program and wants to leave a legacy in College Park. I am excited he will complete his education and graduate with a degree in communications while leading our program next season.”

By returning, Cowan joins most of the core of the 2018-19 Terrapins team, including rising sophomores Jalen Smith, Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins. The team’s biggest departure is Bruno Fernando, the big man from Angola who declared for the NBA draft at the same time as Cowan. Fernando recently announced he would remain in the draft and turn pro after two seasons at Maryland.

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