LOS ANGELES, CA-Arizona Wildcat fans don’t want Saturday night to be the last memory they have of freshman star Stanley Johnson.
After their Elite Eight loss to Wisconsin at Staples Center the player Reggie Miller called ” the reincarnation of LeBron James” didn’t tip his hand as to his future basketball plans.
“I don’t know,” the frustrated Johnson said after suffering an eye injury, scoring just six points and eventually fouling out as the ‘Cats again were left on the outside looking in on the Final Four. “I attend school. I plan to graduate here so…I’m just going to keep living my life…keep going to class.”
Last year freshman Aaron Gordon seemed noncommittal about turning pro but eventually opted to leave and became a lottery pick (fourth overall) of the Orlando Magic. Many expect Johnson to be a top 10 pick as well if he decides one-and-done in Tucson is the best decision for him moving forward.
If he does return next fall motivation won’t be a problem.
“No,” he said when asked if his freshman year lived up to expectations. “We lost in the Elite Eight…I didn’t come to Arizona to lose in the Elite Eight again. I didn’t come here to play for second place, third place.”
The 6’8, 240-pounder from nearby Fullerton, California averaged a team-best 13.8 points per game. He was second in rebounding (6.5) and steals (57).
The deadline for underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft is April 26.
Eric Sorenson
