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Sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein returning to Kentucky

Willie Cauley-Stein

AP Photo

Charlie Riedel

Kentucky got some big news on Monday afternoon as sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein took to Twitter to announce his return to Lexington for his junior season.

The 7-foot Cauley-Stein averaged 6.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.2 steals on 59 percent shooting during his sophomore year at Kentucky before injuring his ankle during Kentucky’s Sweet 16 win over Louisville. Cauley-Stein missed the rest of the 2014 NCAA Tournament as he watched from the sidelines on crutches. It is unclear how serious the ankle injury to the sophomore center really is and it could be part of the reason for his return next season.
MORE:The entire list of players entering the 2014 NBA Draft

Cauley-Stein was regarded as the No. 12 prospect in the 2014 Draft Express NBA mock draft.

This is huge news for Kentucky -- and it makes for an interesting frontcourt dilemma for head coach John Calipari next season. Although freshman power forward Julius Randle is expected to leave for the 2014 NBA Draft, freshman forward Marcus Lee and freshman center Dakari Johnson are expected to return next season -- although the return of Cauley-Stein could complicate matters.

Calipari also reloaded with two more McDonald’s All-Americans in the frontcourt for 2014-15 as incoming freshmen forward Trey Lyles and freshman center Karl Towns are both signed for next season.

Kentucky will now wait to hear the fate of Randle, freshman wing James Young and the Harrison twins for next season.

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