RALEIGH, N.C. -- Big man BeeJay Anya is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to NC State for his senior season, the school announced Friday.

Anya, who submitted his name for draft consideration but never signed with an agent, made his decision one day after teammate Abdul-Malik Abu also said he had pulled out of the draft to return to the Wolfpack.

Anya set a school record with 73 blocked shots last season and was second to Abu with an average of 5.3 rebounds, in addition to scoring 4.7 points per game.

His decision strengthens a frontcourt that also added two freshmen -- Turkish center Omer Yurtseven and Darius Hicks -- during the past week.