BYU basketball: Tavernari's return isn't a certainty at this time

PHILADELPHIA — BYU expects to have four starters return to the NCAA Tournament for another crack at breaking a 0-7 losing streak in the first round.

Well, maybe four starters will return.

Junior forward Jonathan Tavernari remains uncommitted as to whether he'll return for his senior season at BYU, following the Cougars' 79-66 loss to Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA regional in the Wachovia Center on Thursday.

"We'll see what happens in the summertime," said Tavernari in BYU's locker room after he scored 9 points on three treys with seven rebounds. He plans on putting his name in for the NBA draft this spring, just as Trent Plaisted and Lee Cummard did a year ago. Cummard ended up returning; Plaisted did not.

"I'm going to play for the (Brazilian) national team in the Tournament of the Americas. It's a big tournament. I'm going to get a lot of minutes, so we'll see what happens in the summertime."

Tavernari said he wants to see what happens. He doesn't want to decide anything now and he's been going at basketball straight for two weeks. "I need to get my academic life straight and enjoy some time off with my fiancee. I'll be here for the spring and June and then head to Brazil. We'll then see what happens.

The Cougars finish the season 25-8 but end it with a pair of losses just like a year ago and the year before. While sophomore Jimmer Fredette speaks of all four starters returning next year, Tavernari explained, if he did return, it would be fun.

"I love my teammates. We have a great chance to do something special here, just like we did last year. We just need to play with a greater sense of urgency.

"I love everybody here; I love coach Rose. He's going to be the witness at my wedding. Chris Miles and Jackson Emery are my friends, like a brotherhood. I have nothing but great things to say about the program. It's a great tradition. This next year we'll have to see what happens."

Tavernari said the final say on what he does will be made with his fiancee, family and parents and himself, but the second person he'll listen to most is Rose.

"He's like a father to me."

E-MAIL: dharmon@desnews.com