Understanding a student-athlete's decision to return to school or turn professional is never as simple as looking at their NBA draft stock.
Still, it's a little shocking when a near-certain lottery pick has trouble making the call to cash in on what amounts to at least $3.45 million in guaranteed money over two seasons.
That's a lot of dough, and it generally means a player is risking a great deal by going back to school. But the decision isn't just financial.
Just ask Arizona freshman Stanley Johnson, nearly a consensus lottery pick, who is having difficulty making the decision to jump to the NBA.
"He's really torn," a source told CBS Sports on Monday. "He doesn't want to go out like he did against Wisconsin. For five years in basketball, Stanley has always won his final game. He's used to winning."
In his first year with the Wildcats, Johnson averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals, shooting 44.6 percent overall and 37.1 percent from long range. He struggled some in the later stages of the tournament, though, totaling 22 points on 7-of-26 shooting from the Round of 32 through to the Elite Eight.
As much as ending the season on a loss is a reality he may have to eventually accept, Arizona is well-positioned to contend for a national championship again next season, especially if Johnson returns. He'd become an instant Player of the Year candidate, and even if Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski head to the NBA, Arizona's recruiting class is strong enough to make up for some of that loss.
NBA teams would surely be disappointed if Johnson stays in school, as he's viewed as a potentially above-average wing defender with great rebounding and 3-point range. He may not have the motor some believe, but there's a lot to like when Johnson's engaged.
ESPN has Johnson ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the draft, two spots lower than DraftExpress.
