UF’s Kenny Boynton officially returns

As GatorCountry.com’s Andrew Spivey reported Wednesday afternoon, junior shooting guard Kenny Boynton will return for his senior season, foregoing the 2012 NBA Draft.

Boynton confirmed his decision via his Twitter account early Thursday morning.

“To confirm the questions being ask lately I have reached a decision and I am returning to Gainesville for my senior season #go gators,” he said.

The junior shooting guard has an excellent chance to become Florida’s all-time leading scorer if he stays healthy during the 2012-13 season.

He needs just 502 points to pass Ronnie Williams for first in scoring. Boynton scored 525 points as a sophomore and 588 points as a junior.

His return will bolster a backcourt that could lose two starters. Point guard Erving Walker has moved on for the program after playing four years, while freshman guard Brad Beal is contemplating leaving school early for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Boynton is expected to play more at point guard during his senior season, though it’s unclear exactly how much time he’ll spend there.

The 6-foot-2, 189-pound guard lacks ideal size for an NBA shooting guard, so improving his skill set as a ball-handler and distributor could make him a more attractive prospect for NBA scouts.