North Carolina guard Caleb Love is returning to North Carolina next season.

Love made that announcement in a video on Sunday afternoon. Here it is:

“The opportunity to play at North Carolina is something that I never take for granted,” Love says in the video. &

#8220;To play for the greatest fan base in the world. To play with the most amazing teammates I could ever imagine. And to play for coaches who support and challenge me in every way.

“I’m back.”

Love had seriously considered leaving North Carolina to start his professional career. He likely would have been a second round pick in the NBA Draft this summer.

Instead, Love joins fellow UNC starters Armando Bacot, Leaky Black and R.J. Davis in announcing their return to Chapel Hill. North Carolina’s fifth starter from last season, Brady Manek, is out of eligibility and w

ill not be back.

This is huge for the Tar Heels, who are coming off a miraculous run to the National Championship Game. They’re now expected to be amongst the favorites to win it all next season.

Love was key in UNC’s run to the Final Four. He averaged 18.8 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. Love scored 30 points in a Sweet 16 win over UCLA and 28 points in the Final Four vs. Duke. It was his 3-pointer in the final moments of that game vs. the Blue Devils that sealed the win for North Carolina.