Minutes after Kentucky’s national championship game loss, Willie Cauley-Stein spelled out the decision in front of him.Long thought to likely choose to pursue a lifelong dream and become a first-round NBA Draft pick, Cauley-Stein gave fans pause when he spoke of the pull to return.This, clearly, was a person who loved playing basketball at UK.”It’s the best thing,” Cauley-Stein said on April 7. “It’s the best thing that’s probably ever happened to me, is coming to Kentucky. That whole community, that whole fan base makes you feel like you’re a rock star.”If Cauley-Stein felt like a rock star before, he probably feels like a Beatle on Monday night after he tweeted the news that he will come back for his junior season.”I’m proud to say I’m coming back for my junior year,” Cauley-Stein said. “I still have an empty spot to fulfill and in no rush to leave the best fans in the USA!ESPN’s Chad Ford had him pegged as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2014 NBA Draft before news of his decision broke, but Cauley-Stein wasn’t ready to leave Lexington. Between his academics and the chance to make another special NCAA Tournament run, there was too much pulling him back.”I want to come back and have a chance to win a national championship, while also getting closer to earning my degree,” Cauley-Stein said in a release. “Being at the Final Four this year was special, but not being able to help my teammates on the floor was tough. I look forward to helping us get back there next year, while playing in front of the best fans in the nation.”Prior to an injury in a Sweet 16 win over Louisville that relegated him to a cheerleading role, Cauley-Stein was averaging 6.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. The 106 blocks the 7-footer totaled as a sophomore are the second most in single-season UK history. He will need 103 blocks in 2014-15 to become the leading shot blocker in school history.”I’m happy for Willie and also proud of him for making the best decision for him and his family,” head coach John Calipari said. “Being in school for at least three years will get him closer to having a degree and will help him prepare for the next level and life afterwards.”In the short term, Cauley-Stein’s return assures UK of having one of the nation’s most imposing frontcourts yet again.Julius Randle, Alex Poythress, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee have not yet formally announced their draft intentions, but UK will have no trouble fielding forwards and centers regardless. Derek Willis is set to return for his sophomore season, while 7-footer Karl Towns and 6-10 Trey Lyles give Coach Cal another pair of gifted incoming freshmen. Both are consensus five-star players in the class of 2014.