Arizona will find itself near the top, if not in the No. 1 spot, of most college basketball preseason polls.
One big reason: Freshman guard Rawle Alkins, who declared for the NBA Draft without signing with an agent, announced Sunday that he will return to school next season.
MORE: Ex-Pitt guard Cameron Johnson faces transfer restrictions
The Wildcats will now return three of their top four scorers — Alkins; wing Allonzo Trier, who also tested the NBA Draft waters; and big man Dusan Ristic — while bringing in a top five recruiting class. Alkins, a former five-star recruit , averaged 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season.
Story is not over yet, still have some unfinished business to take care of💯 🙏🏿 SAVAGELIFE pic.twitter.com/eOBwEYLdL6
— Rawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) May 21, 2017
Arizona's four-man 2017 recruiting class is headlined by five-star forward DeAndre Ayton, a 7-footer who's ranked as one of the top players in the class.
The Wildcats were 32-5 last season, sweeping the Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles, before falling to No. 11 seed Xavier in the Sweet 16. Arizona coach Sean Miller is hopeful the 2017-18 Wildcats will be the group that allows him to break through and reach the first Final Four of his career.