Kentucky sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein will return to the Wildcats for his junior season.
Cauley-Stein tweeted out his intentions.
I'm proud to say I'm coming back for my junior year. I still have an empty spot to fulfill and in no rush to leave the best fans in the USA!
- Willie Cauley-Stein (@THEwillieCS15) April 14, 2014
Cauley-Stein averaged 7 points and 6.2 rebounds this season, but his 7-foot frame made him a defensive presence inside thanks to his ability to alter and block shots. His 166 career blocks puts him sixth all-time in program history.
He was hampered by an ankle injury that forced him to miss the team's final three games of the NCAA tournament, including their national title game loss to UConn.
"I want to come back and have a chance to win a national championship, while also getting closer to earning my degree," Cauley-Stein said in a statement released by the school. "Being at the Final Four this year was special, but not being able to help my teammates on the floor was tough. I look forward to helping us get back there next year, while playing in front of the best fans in the nation."