Center Kaleb Tarczewski will stay at Arizona for his senior season as expected, UA coach Sean Miller confirmed this morning.
"Kaleb is a winner," Miller said in a statement to the Star. "Take a look at his career so far through that lens! He has also been our most underappreciated player during this time by many. Those of us who are around him everyday know how talented, hard working and unselfish he is.
"He has been a pillar on all three of the teams he has played. We are excited to have him returning as a leader of our 2015-16 team. I personally look forward to helping him finish his Arizona career in a successful manner both on and off the court."
Arizona announced Tarczewski's return subtly via Twitter:
While Tarczewski was not available for comment to the Star or any other local media, he told ESPN that his decision to stay was a "no-brainer."
"I'm also excited for the chance to be a leader next season," Tarczewski told ESPN. "I also don't feel as though I've played my best basketball. I haven't proven myself, and this is a great opportunity for me to expand my role."
"I've been here for three years. I'm almost considered a dinosaur in college basketball," he added. "But for me, it's about the end game. The most important thing for me is the journey and how you get to where you want to be. I'm happy to be in the position I'm in now -- and I can't wait for next year."
Tarczewski was the last UA player considering early entry for the NBA Draft. The three others have all decided to leave: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Ashley and Stanley Johnson.
Arizona now has 11 players on scholarship for the 2015-16 season, two under the scholarship limit, but Miller said Thursday he wanted to add only one more player. The Wildcats are pursuing swing forward Mark Tollefsen, a grad transfer from San Francisco who can be eligible to play next season.
