Rivers to Return to Clemson for Senior Season

April 22, 2008

Clemson, SC – Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell announced Tuesday that junior forward K.C. Rivers will return to Clemson for his senior season. The native of Charlotte, NC was Clemson’s top scorer on the Tigers 24-10 team that ranked 22nd in the final Associated Press poll. Rivers earned second-team All-ACC honors for the season and was first-team All-ACC tournament last year as well.

“We are very excited that K.C. Rivers will be returning for his senior season,” said Purnell, who has coached Clemson to 68 wins and three postseason appearances in the last three years with Rivers in the lineup. “He is a returning All-ACC player who will undoubtedly be one of our leaders next season. With the graduation of an outstanding senior class this year, his leadership will be very important. He considered making himself available for the NBA draft, but after evaluating the situation, has decided it is best for his future, on and off the court, to return to Clemson.”

Rivers averaged 14.7 points per game last year when he scored an even 500 points in 34 games. One of the top all-around players in the ACC, he ranked among the top 10 players in the league in steals, and three-point goals, and was in the top 15 in scoring and rebounding. He also averaged 6.3 rebounds per game, third on the team, but among the ACC leaders in rebounds by non frontcourt players. He had 64 steals and just 38 turnovers last year and now has 155 career steals and 130 turnovers. He is one of two players in Clemson history with more steals than turnovers.

“I am thrilled to come back to Clemson for my senior year,” said Rivers. “I obviously want to return and get my degree, but we have basketball goals to achieve. We improved last year, but there is more to do. I want to return and compete for an ACC Championship.”

Entering his senior year, Rivers already has 1231 career points, 19th in Clemson history. He is already in the top 25 in career rebounds with 528 and is fourth in three-point goals (212)), and eighth in steals (155). If he plays in just 17 victories this coming year he will break the school record for victories played. Cliff Hammonds and Elden Campbell currently hold the record with 84.