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Gonzaga star to return to school for junior season

Creighton v Gonzaga

SPOKANE, WA - DECEMBER 01: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs drives against Mitch Ballock #24 of the Creighton Bluejays in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 1, 2017 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)

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Gonzaga is going to be a dangerous team next season, as both of their underclassmen big men are going to be spending another season on campus.

A week after Rui Hachimura announced that he will be returning to school, Killian Tillie did the same on Wednesday.

“After reviewing options with my family, I’ve decided to stay at Gonzaga,” Tillie said in the release. “I’m excited to continue my college career. I love playing here and being a part of the amazing culture at GU. I’m anxious to play another season under great coaches with a great group of teammates. And, I can’t forget to mention how great it is to play in front of the Kennel Club and all of our Zag fans.”

Tillie is a 6-foot-10 forward and a native of France that averaged 12.9 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 47.5 percent from three as a sophomore. He’s a terrific athlete as well, and a perfect compliment to Hachimura.

Throw in the presence of San Jose State transfer Brandon Clarke, who averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 boards, 2.6 blocks and 2.3 assists as a first-team all-Mountain West player in 2016-17, and the Zags may have the best front line in college basketball. They are currently ranked 7th in the NBC Sports Preseason Top 25.