Guard KJ Lewis said Friday he would return to Arizona for his sophomore season, bringing his explosiveness on both ends of the court back to the Wildcats.
Arizona lost four starters from its 27-9 team last season but Lewis, center Motiejus Krivas and point guard Jaden Bradley all played key reserve roles and are all expected to move into the starting lineup.
If Bradley and incoming transfer forward Trey Townsend withdraw from the NBA Draft as expected, the Wildcats would have only one stay-or-go decision remaining: That of guard Caleb Love, who participated in the G League Elite Camp last week and has yet to announce his intentions.
The Wildcats will have a full complement of 13 scholarship players if Love returns and if five-star guard Joson Sanon reclassifies in order to join UA next season as he has expressed an intent to do.
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Lewis, who announced on April 23 he was declaring for the NBA Draft, was also invited to the G League camp but did not participate, indicating he would probably return to Arizona.
Lewis posted a short video to social media Friday in which he thanked fans, UA coaches and his family for their support, then added: “That said, I’m back.”
Because of his defense, athleticism and offensive potential, Lewis’ name surfaced on NBA mock draft boards early last season. He averaged 6.1 points and 3.1 rebounds last season while shooting 46.6% and becoming one of the Wildcats’ top defenders.
This spring, Lewis wound up following a similar path to that of former UA forward Pelle Larsson, who tested the NBA Draft last spring and was invited to the G League camp but opted not to participate.
Larsson withdrew from the 2023 draft and returned to Arizona, where he became a projected second-round pick as a junior last season. Larsson and former UA teammate Keshad Johnson were invited to the NBA Combine this week in Chicago.
Players have until May 29 to withdraw under NCAA rules if they want to return to college basketball.
