This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Logan • Utah State men's basketball head coach Tim Duryea has announced that Sam Merrill, a Bountiful High School product who signed prior to last season, will return to the Aggies in 2016-17.

Merrill is currently completing his two-year LDS Church mission in Nicaragua.

A 6-foot-4 guard, Merrill averaged 13.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and two steals per game during his high school career. He shot 52.9 percent from the field, including 61 of 162 from the 3-point line.

As a senior, Merrill led the Braves to a state title. He scored a season-high 23 points in the championship game. He was named first-team all-state by The Tribune after averaging 15.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Merrill is one of three children of John and Jenny Merrill. His sister, Molli, is currently an assistant coach with the Utah State soccer team after a four-year playing career with the Aggies.

— Steve Luhm