Shurna pulls out of NBA draft

On the last day before the NBA finalized its list of eligible players for the draft in June, Northwestern’s John Shurna removed his name from consideration.

The 2008 Glenbard West High School graduate withdrew from the draft Sunday after working out for NBA teams in New Jersey.

“This was a great opportunity to receive feedback on the areas of my game that I need to improve on,” Shurna said in a statement. “In the end, it’s in my best interest to return to Northwestern for my senior year.

“I’m excited to continue playing with my teammates and work with our coaching staff as we strive to reach our goals.”

Every college player gets one chance to place his name into the draft and then opt out provided he doesn’t hire an agent.

Because Shurna has just one more year of eligibility, it was a risk-free choice to test the NBA draft process.

His decision to return keeps him on target to break Billy McKinney’s career scoring record at NU. Shurna needs 524 points to catch McKinney (1,900 points).

Shurna (16.6 ppg) will be the Big Ten’s No. 3 returning scorer behind Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor and Ohio State center Jared Sullinger.

He should be considered for preseason all-Big Ten honors alongside Taylor, Sullinger, Purdue’s Robbie Hummel, Michigan State’s Draymond Green, Ohio State’s William Buford and Minnesota’s Trevor Mbakwe.