AMES (AP) — ISU men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott announced Thursday that starting guard Lucca Staiger will return next season, ending a brief flirtation with the idea of returning to his native Germany.

Staiger had recently told McDermott that he was debating whether to remain with the Cyclones or pursue opportunities in Germany, but McDermott said Staiger called him Thursday to say he’ll return next fall.

Staiger said in a statement released by the university that McDermott and his coaching staff were “very supportive” as he weighed all his options.

“After discussing my future with my parents over the last day, I felt the best decision for me was to stay at Iowa State,” Staiger said. “The chance to come back to play for a team which I feel will be much improved is very exciting.”

Staiger, who will be a junior next year, averaged 8.2 points and shot 38.5 percent from 3-point range last season for the Cyclones. He said he plans to play with the German national team this summer.

The return of Staiger, along with the decision by star Craig Brackins to return for his junior season, puts Iowa State in position to make a run at a postseason berth next season.

Staiger and Brackins join Diante Garrett as returning starters, and the Cyclones also bring back veteran post players Justin Hamilton and Jamie Vanderbeken and guards Charles Boozer and Dominique Buckley.

Iowa State has bolstered its roster by signing junior college forward Marquis Gilstrap and LaRon Dendy and highly touted prep guard Chris Colvin.

“We are optimistic about the future of this program, and Lucca will be a big part of our success,” McDermott said.