TUCSON, Ariz. -- One Arizona men's basketball starter isn't jumping ship to the NBA. The Wildcats announced on Friday morning that center Kaleb Tarczewski is returning for his senior season.
"Kaleb is a winner," Arizona coach Sean Miller said in a statement. "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 every day 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."
Tarczewski, a 7-foot, 235-pound center, didn't an issue a statement but instead spoke to ESPN.com about his decision to return for his senior season. It had been speculated for some time that Tarczewski would return -- unlike teammates Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Ashley and Stanley Johnson, all of whom announced their intentions to turn pro in the past three weeks.
"When you take your pride out of it and look at what's best for me, it wasn't hard at all," Tarczewski told ESPN. "I have an opportunity to be the winningest player here, get my degree and get another year of growth and development. It's a no-brainer."
Tarczewski is 24 wins shy of becoming the winningest player in program history. Matt Muehlebach was part of 117 wins from 1987-88 to 1990-91. Tarczewski has 94 wins.
"That's crazy to me," Tarczewski said, "especially when you look at all the great players that have played here."
Tarczewski has been part of two Elite Eight teams and one Sweet 16 team.
"It left a bad taste in my mouth, being so close yet so far," Tarczewski said. "It's everyone's goal to play in the NBA, but the goal in college is to get to the Final Four. People might look at that we don't have as much talent, and that we're going to drop off next season. But I'm confident that we're going to have a great team next season with the guys we have coming back and the freshmen we have coming in."
Arizona's top returning players are Tarczewski, guards Gabe York, Elliott Pitts, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and big man Dusan Ristic. Transfer Ryan Anderson will be eligible after transferring from Boston College a year ago.
Arizona's recruiting class is currently ranked No. 1 by Scout.com and features McDonald's All-America shooting guard Alonzo Trier, combo guard Justin Simon, small forward Ray Smith and center Chance Comanche.
Miller said on Thursday he could possibly add another player. Arizona recently hosted graduate transfer Mark Tollefsen, a 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward out of the University of San Francisco.
Tarczewski averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.
"I'm also excited for the chance to be a leader next season," Tarczewski said. "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. 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."
In addition to pursuing his basketball goals, Tarczewski is on track to receive a business degress from Arizona's prestigious Eller College of Management.
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