Following the 2016-17 season, it was sophomore sensation Eric Mika who decided to leave for the NBA Draft. Star guard Elijah Bryant decided to follow in his footsteps and has forgone his final season of eligibility in Provo.

There was a chance that star power forward Yoeli Childs was about to do the same thing. However, on Thursday night, Childs put that debate to rest, announcing via his Twitter account that he would be returning to Provo and the BYU Basketball program for his junior season.

Childs averaged 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists during his sophomore campaign while averaging 34 minutes per game.

The former Bingham High School star finished second on the team in scoring behind Bryant while both earned All-West Coast Conference First Team honors.

Following the completion of the 2017-18 season, Childs elected to declare for the NBA draft. However, Childs took advantage of a rule change by the NCAA that allows underclassmen the ability to receive feedback from NBA scouts, coaches and player personnel before effectively ending their college careers. Childs was able to accomplish this because he didn't hire an agent, making it possible for him to return to Provo.

BYU returns nearly entire roster in 2018-19

Childs will be part of a squad that returns nearly everyone except Bryant. There were no seniors on the squad and Nick Emery has announced that he will likely be returning to BYU after leaving the program due to personal issues prior to the 2017-18 season.

Timpview star Gavin Baxter returns from a mission and could provide more offense alongside Childs.

The Cougars finished 24-11 overall and 11-7 in the WCC. BYU made it to the WCC Tournament Championship Game before falling 74-54 to Gonzaga, who made it to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Florida State. The season ended at Maples Pavilion in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament with an 86-83 loss to Stanford.

Non-conference slate brutal for Cougars

BYU head coach Dave Rose might have had a sigh of relief when Childs announced he was returning. This is due to what lies ahead for the Cougars in their 2018-19 non-conference slate. The Cougars play at Nevada to start the season, with a trip to the Maui Invitational mixed in along with the renewal of a longtime rivalry at San Diego State. Also in the mix are games against Houston, at Mississippi State, at Weber State, at Illinois State, Utah Valley, and neutral site contests against rival Utah and UNLV.
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