Arizona announced on April 14 that center Dusan Ristic would rejoin the Wildcats for his senior season, assuring the UA of at least two returning starters in 2017-18.
The 7-foot Serbian isn’t currently projected as an NBA draft pick, but he has improved every season and has always had the option of signing a lucrative deal in Europe.
Though Ristic gave no indication during the season that he was considering a departure, he went through an information-gathering process this spring before making his decision.
“It is important to me to return to finish my education and complete my goals as a player,” Ristic said in a statement he and the UA released on Twitter. “The support of my coaches, teammates, and the Arizona fans has been amazing throughout my three years in Tucson. I look forward to competing for championships during my final season in McKale Center.”
The UA didn’t issue a news release about Ristic’s return but attached statements from Ristic and UA coach Sean Miller to a tweet that said the program can’t wait to see him play in 2017-18.
“We are excited to welcome Dusan back for his senior year,” Miller said in his statement. “There are very few players that have improved more over a three-year period at Arizona than he has. This is a tribute to his tireless work ethic, love of the game and his amazing desire to improve.”
The news comes one day after Allonzo Trier told national media he was returning to Arizona. The UA issued a statement from Miller saying he was thrilled to have one of “the premier players in college basketball” returning.
“We appreciated the manner in which Allonzo and his family handled this decision,” Miller said. “Not just because he is returning to Arizona, but because they valued all of the information given to them. Now he will be able to return to our program to address his weaknesses, add to his many strengths and have the opportunity to greatly improve his future on the basketball court and beyond.”
The decisions of Trier and Ristic to stay follow the decisions of forward Lauri Markkanen and Kobi Simmons to leave for pro ball, while Rawle Alkins and Chance Comanche are testing the NBA draft process without hiring an agent.
Alkins and Comanche have until May 24 to return to school if they want. A new NCAA rule last season allowed players to take until 10 days after the end of the NBA Combine to decide to return.
