LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Alex Poythress will return next season from a knee injury and give Kentucky coach John Calipari something he’s never had with the Wildcats: A four-year player who is a major contributor.
Poythress, a graduate of Northeast High in Clarksville suffered a season-ending injury in December, tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during practice. The injury turned Calipari’s platoon system into a nine-man rotation and the junior starting forward into an observer during Kentucky’s 38-0 start that ended with a Final Four loss to Wisconsin.
Poythress considered joining seven Wildcats teammates in the NBA draft, but instead he is now poised to set a precedent by completing his eligibility in a program best known for developing “one-and-done” players.
The 6-foot-8 Poythress will add experience to a roster that will need it next season.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.