Tyler Polley, UConn's top scorer off the bench last season, plans to return next season.

UConn announced Polley's decision on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-9 senior forward, Polley is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-plagued 2020-21 season. He's averaged 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in his first four seasons with the Huskies.

"I want to come back because UConn basketball is my family and I wanted the chance to play ball with my family one more time," Polley said in a release. "I feel like we moved the program forward last year and we want to take it even further next season."

UConn went 15-8 overall, placed third in the Big East and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. The Huskies lost to Maryland in the first round.

Polley averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 20.8 minutes last season while appearing in 22 of 23 games. He was voted Big East Sixth Man of the Year. He was one of the team's best perimeter shooters, converting 35.5 percent from 3-point range. He also shot a team-best 90.5 percent from the foul line. He will graduate next month with a degree in Urban and Community Studies.

He's the second senior to elect to return to UConn, joining starting forward Isaiah Whaley who announced his decision on April 6.

"Tyler has been a big part of the progress we've made over the last three years," coach Dan Hurley said. "Like Isaiah, he is a UConn man who has been with us from the start and wants to finish what he started.

"And like Isaiah, Tyler's experience and his leadership, as well as his shooting and versatility on the court, are invaluable to us as we continue to rebuild this program."

Polley still plans on exploring the possibility of a professional deal. He will submit his name into the NBA Draft for the purpose of receiving feedback from the league.

g.keefe@theday.com