ARIZONA BASKETBALL

ESPN: NBA execs believe Arizona’s Rawle Alkins should return to school

May 10, 2017, 10:31 AM

Arizona's Rawle Alkins reacts after scoring a 3-point shot against Arizona during the second half o...

Arizona's Rawle Alkins reacts after scoring a 3-point shot against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas. Arizona won 92-78. (AP Photo/John Locher)

(AP Photo/John Locher)

Lauri Markkanen, Kobi Simmons and Chance Comanche chose to turn pro.

Allonzo Trier and Dusan Ristic decided to stay.

Rawle Alkins, for now, is not sure what he’s going to do.

The NBA Draft Combine that begins this week in Chicago offers players another chance to show off for teams, and for some — like Alkins — it may prove to be the difference between turning pro and going back to school.

Players who entered the 2017 draft but did not sign with an agent have until May 24 to make a final decision, and while that date is still two weeks away, it is apparently thought that Alkins should go back to Tucson for a sophomore campaign.

In a piece by ESPN’s Jeff Goodman breaking down some players who will be attending the combine, he notes that NBA executives believe Alkins is not ready for the NBA.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Alkins averaged 10.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG. He is torn about whether to leave or go back to school. The Wildcats have Allonzo Trier coming back and will bring in talented big man DeAndre Ayton. Coach Sean Miller also might get Pittsburgh transfer Cam Johnson, so that could further complicate Alkins’ role this coming season. “He needs to go back to school,” every single NBA executive interviewed said. One added: “I love how hard he plays, but he doesn’t really have a position.”

Range: Mid to late second round
NBA says: Back to school

Alkins was quite productive in his first season with the Wildcats, finishing third on the team in scoring, fourth in rebounding and fourth in assists per game. Billed as an explosive and strong athlete, he also made 37 percent of his three-point attempts.

Yet, for all he accomplished as a freshman, he has not yet shown the skillset necessary to play shooting guard in the NBA, and he is a bit short to play small forward.

Hence, the lack of a true position.

As Goodman noted, however, the team Alkins could return to in Tucson differs from the one he just played with in terms of the role he will play, which could also impact his draft stock next year.

No doubt all of this will factor into Alkins’ decision, which is likely not an easy one for the 19-year-old.

Arizona Basketball

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona basketball stars go cold in Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson carried Arizona into the NCAA Tournament but they shot the Wildcats out of their Sweet 16 matchup vs. Clemson.

6 hours ago

Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Arizona Sports

Oumar Ballo Nerf-hoop dunks it in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 against the No. 6 Clemson Tigers showed some pop late in the first half with Oumar Ballo's dunk.

7 hours ago

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

1 day ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

1 day ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

2 days ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

ESPN: NBA execs believe Arizona’s Rawle Alkins should return to school