Several Pac-12 basketball teams waiting to hear if their stars will return

Cats appear set on decision day

For a change, the Arizona Wildcats approach Wednesday’s NBA draft withdrawal deadline without a hint of drama.

But their finish in the Pac-12 race next season could still be significantly impacted by what happens elsewhere in the draft pool.

UCLA sophomore forward Kris Wilkes announced Tuesday that he would return for his sophomore season after testing the NBA draft, and if the Bruins can also get guard Jaylen Hands to return, they could challenge expected favorite Oregon for the Pac-12 championship.

If nothing else, the return of Wilkes means the Wildcats could have that much more competition for one of the league’s top four spots and an automatic berth in the Pac-12 Tournament.

Stanford (Reid Travis) and Washington (Noah Dickerson) also are hoping for returners that could elevate them into a top-four finish, while Washington State’s fast-rising Robert Franks could singlehandedly pull the Cougars out of last place if he opts to return to Pullman.

Here’s how Pac-12 teams with early NBA draft entrants look heading into Wednesday’s NCAA-imposed deadline to return to school (with draft projections in parentheses):

Oregon

In: Troy Brown (first round)

Testing: None

Impact: Brown was a widely expected one-and-done but the Ducks also could breathe easier after forward Kenny Wooten announced on March 21 that he wouldn’t even test the draft. Wooten averaged just 6.4 points last season but blocked 92 shots and shot a school-record 68.1 percent from the field. Keeping Wooten gives the Ducks a strong returning crew that also includes leading scorer Payton Pritchard and promising guard Victor Bailey, while Oregon also adds a Top 5 recruiting class led by five-stars Bol Bol and Louis King. All that should make the Ducks the Pac-12 favorite.

He said it: “I am 110 percent focused on my sophomore season and would like to continue maturing as a person and a player at the University of Oregon.” – Wooten on Twitter, March 21.

UCLA

In: G Aaron Holiday (late first to second round)

Testing: G Jaylen Hands (second round), F Cody Riley (late second or undrafted).

Returning: F Kris Wilkes

Impact: The Bruins were the subject of a 247Sports report last week that suggested Hands and Wilkes might leave, and that academic issues could affect both Riley and incoming recruit (and former UA commit) Shareef O’Neal. But ... it’s still UCLA. There is the usual incoming talent, with a Top 10 recruiting class that’s led by five-star center Moses Brown, and the returning talent is that much better with Wilkes and possibly Hands.

He said it: The predraft process “was certainly an eye-opening experience, one that I know is going to help me get better. I’m excited for the summer and our season ahead, and I’m ready to get to work. Go Bruins!” — Wilkes, in a UCLA statement Tuesday.

Stanford

Testing: F Reid Travis

Impact: One of the few guys who gave Deandre Ayton fits last season, Travis could be enough to put the Cardinal near the top of the Pac-12 next season, considering how well they finished last season when healthy and their young talent. Stanford loses forward Michael Humphrey and sharpshooting guard Dorian Pickens but returns promising sophomores Daejon Davis and KZ Okpala. Travis was not invited to the NBA combine but has worked out for Cleveland, Denver and Brooklyn.

He said it: “Any feedback and constructive criticism, I’m taking it. That’s the best part about this process, that you get to learn about yourself.” – Travis, after his Denver workout, in a video interview posted on the Nuggets’ website.

Washington

Testing: F Noah Dickerson

Impact: The Huskies would have all five starters back if Dickerson returns, a potentially enviable situation for second-year coach Mike Hopkins, who took over a program with low expectations in 2017. Dickerson was not invited to the NBA combine, increasing the chance he could return, and Pac-12 defensive POY Matisse Thybulle already opted not to test the draft.

He said it: “The NBA is really enticing, and it was definitely something that I seriously considered when the season was over, I talked it over with my family and we came to the conclusion that it would be in my best interest to stay and get my degree and grow as a basketball player and take this last year to mature and fine-tune everything so I can be fully prepared to take that next step when it’s time.” — Thybulle, to the Seattle Times

Arizona

In: Deandre Ayton (top three), Allonzo Trier (second round or undrafted), Rawle Alkins (second round)

Testing: None

Impact: Arizona knew it would lose its entire starting lineup before last season even started. The real issue was having to assemble a five-player recruiting class after its three fall signees decommitted, with only one of them (guard Brandon Williams) coming back to the Wildcats.

He said it: “I guess the thing I can show is that with the negative and what I’ve gone through in my life, I’m battle-tested. A guy who’s been at his lowest and still been able to push through and get to where I’m at today.” — Trier, at the NBA combine earlier this month

Utah

Returning: G Sedrick Barefield

Impact: The Utes lose forward David Collette but will have a little less transition than usual, thanks in large part to Barefield’s reported decision to return Tuesday. The Utes’ third-leading scorer last season, Barefield blew up with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting against Penn State in the NIT Championship game. He wasn’t invited to the NBA combine but worked out for the Jazz and Lakers. He’ll likely now be Utah’s starting point guard since Justin Bibbins has run out of eligibility.

He said it: I’ll take “confidence going into next season. I want to learn from the guys that are leaving, as far as what they brought to the table, try to come back next year and improve.” – Barefield, after the NIT final.

USC

In: G De’Anthony Melton (late first round to second round), F Chimezie Metu (second round)

Testing: None

Impact: After the FBI investigation linked to Melton, USC followed up and declared him ineligible for the season last December. While Melton continued to practice with the team until February, he withdrew from school in February and made his expected decision to enter the draft. Metu’s decision was also widely expected, especially since he has already graduated, but the Trojans should still be competitive thanks to a top-20 recruiting class that includes Seattle five-star guard Kevin Porter and two four-stars. The Trojans lose senior guards Jordan McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart but will return forward Bennie Boatwright, who opted not to enter the draft after a second-straight injury plagued season.

He said it: “HUGE thanks to my teammates, coaches, and all of the great ppl at SC. The last three years have been unforgettable.” – Metu, announcing his departure on Twitter.

Oregon State

In: F Drew Eubanks (late second round or undrafted)

Testing: None

Impact: The Beavers will lose a solid low-post option and a rim-protecting presence in Eubanks, though they return four of their top five scorers from last season: Tres Tinkle, Alfred Hollins and the Thompson brothers (Stevie and Ethan). They could even improve on their 7-11 conference finish last season.

He said it: “My time at Oregon State has taught me many valuable life lessons. My coaches have instilled in me the belief that anything is possible, and my teammates became the brothers I never had.” – Eubanks, while announcing his decision on Twitter on March 30.

Washington State

Testing: F Robert Franks

Impact: Named the Pac-12’s most improved player last season, Franks announced that he intended to sign with an agent and make his decision permanent, but he was not invited to the NBA combine and coach Ernie Kent was hopeful he might return as a result. But if Franks leaves, he might as well turn out the lights behind him. Six scholarship players have already graduated or transferred out of the program, including standout guard Malachi Flynn (Pepperdine), although Kent has aggressively turned to the junior college market to fill out his 2018-19 roster. WSU has added seven players, four of which are from jucos.

He said it: “These last three years have pushed me to grow as a person and also as a player on the court. I can’t thank everyone enough at Wazzu who have helped shape me into the man I am today.” — Franks, upon announcing his decision to at least test the waters on March 26.