Texas center to play his senior season

University of Texas center Dexter Pittman said Wednesday he will return next season to compete his college basketball eligibility.

The burly 6-foot-10, 298-pound junior from Rosenberg thrust himself into the NBA’s radar after a big post-season, including 26 points and 10 rebounds in a 67-56 win over Colorado in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, followed by 19 points and 20 rebounds in a 61-58 win over Kansas State.

This season was only me scratching the surface, Pittman said at a news conference.

Pittman said he and the Longhorns’ football strength coach, Todd Wright, have worked tirelessly to get his weight problem under control. He says he’s going to take my game to another level.

This season, Pittman’s per-game averages were 10 points and 5.5 rebounds, and next winter, he likely will be one of five seniors returning to play for Coach Rick Barnes.