Max Abmas Returns To ORU Eager To Learn & Take Care Of Business

Oral Roberts University guard Max Abmas could have turned pro and stayed in this year’s NBA draft. 

However, the nation's leading scorer last season said returning to the Golden Eagle program was important to him - and there's a lot of unfinished business.

Abmas’ decision to return to ORU or stay in the NBA draft was not an easy one. He said it was the relationship with head coach Paul Mills and the roster they have put together that ultimately convinced him to return to Tulsa.

"I built a good relationship with the coaching staff over the last couple of years even when they recruited me, they really loved me and wanted me to come in. The team too, I think the coaches built a team that’s talented and dedicated that definitely could win," said Abmas.

Abmas said while he's glad he explored the draft, he still has aspects of his game to work on.

"It was a good learning experience and I take that in what I learned and use that for next year," said, Abmas.

Abmas will be without his running mate, Kevin Obanor, who transferred to Texas Tech, but Abmas said he is happy to be the floor general of this Golden Eagles team.

Related Story: Former ORU Forward Kevin Obanor Commits To Texas Tech

"Definitely feel like I'm a leader on the team, coming off of last year, you know, having that experience and giving that to the new guys and them coming in and just showing them the ropes of how we do things here,” Abmas said. “We have a talented team. The goal is to go back-to-back win conference championships.”

The Golden Eagles added more offensive weapons to complement Abmas. OU transfer and Booker T. Washington standout Trey Phipps plays a similar style of basketball and Abmas believes the duo will have good chemistry together.

"Oh yeah he can shoot for sure. He is from here, I've seen him play a couple of times and he can definitely shoot,” Abmas said. “That will be a big piece that we added.”