Arizona announced via Twitter that center Dusan Ristic will return for his senior year.
Ristic isn't projected as an NBA Draft pick but he's improved every season and could always leave and return to Europe -- even in the middle of a season -- especially because his Serbian passport would make him a more desirable non-import in many cases.
Though Ristic gave no indication during the season that he was considering a departure, I've been told Ristic did go through an extensive 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 his statement. "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."
Ristic's decision to return gives UA at least two starters returning for next season, three if Rawle Alkins pulls out of the NBA Draft pool.
During Lauri Markkanen's farewell presser, Sean Miller said UA would handle each player's decision individually this spring and he was right about that, at least in how the decisions were announced.
Here's a rundown of what's happened so far (and why UA may have been doing it that way):
-- Markkanen's decision to leave UA generated a morning press conference, possibly at least in part to maximize internet viewing (and potential recruiting) in Europe. (Good news for UA overall -- high-level recruits want to go places where they can become lottery picks).
-- Kobi Simmons' decision to leave as a potential second-round/undrafted player warranted a news release via email. (Bad news for UA overall, since five-star recruits don't want to be second-rounders.)
-- Chance Comanche's decision to test the waters was announced by Arizona via email. (Neutral for UA).
-- Rawle Alkins announced by himself on Twitter he will test the NBA Draft process. (Neutral for UA).
-- Allonzo Trier was in contact with ESPN and Scout to announce he will stay while UA didn't announce anything. That's exactly how Kaleb Tarczewski said he'd stay for his senior year in 2015.
This morning, some 24 hours after the Trier news surfaced, UA issued a comment from coach Sean Miller saying he's grateful that Trier is returning and for Trier's consideration of the information presented to him. (Obviously good news for UA, and gets the news maximum exposure via national media).
-- UA announced via Twitter but not in news release that Ristic is staying. (Good news for UA, but not a big surprise.)
-- That leaves Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Keanu Pinder as the only rotation players with eligibility left who have had nothing indicated about their futures.Β
Kadeem Allen is off to a productive start in the Portsmouth Invitational, averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 9 for 15 (4-7 from 3) over his first two games for K&D Rounds.
I've had trouble watching the games on the web stream (though might be my wifi) so don't know exactly how he's doing defensively.
The box scores of his first two games are attached. Allen will play his final game at 11 a.m. on Saturday (stream linked here.)
UA signee Brandon Randolph had 32 points and nine rebounds in just 20 minutes of the Jordan Brand Classic's regional game. That box score is also attached to this post.
DeAndre Ayton will play in the national game at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
