Wash U point guard Sean Wallis will return for another season next fall for the Bears, coach Mark Edwards announced Monday.

Wallis, who missed all but three games in the 2007-08 season, was granted a medical hardship season by the NCAA and will use it. Wash U will be pursuing a third consecutive Division III men's basketball national championship.

&&f-boxr&&"I am really excited about the opportunity to play another year of collegiate basketball. The chance to be a part of the special group of guys here at Washington University for another year was too good to pass up," said Wallis. "I know the rest of my teammates and I are looking forward to competing at the highest level we can next season and defending our title once again."

This past season, Wallis averaged 11.1 points and a UAA-best and third in all NCAA Divisions 8.1 assists per game and shot a team-best 83.5 percent from the foul line. He was a finalist for the coveted Bob Cousy Award and was a first-team all-University Athletic Association and second-team D3hoops.com All-America honoree.

Wallis was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Wheaton Sectional and the Final Four after averaging 14.5 points and 7.0 assists per game during the Bears� run to the 2009 national championship.

Wallis is averaging 10.0 points and 6.5 assists per game in his career, while shooting 83.0 percent from the foul line. He has also set a few records along the way, achieving a single-season record 251 assists in 2008-09 and the all-time Washington University assist record of 566.

He's the second Wash U player within the past week to announce a return, following women's forward Jaimie McFarlin, who also received a hardship for 2007-08 and will use a fifth season next year.