Kentucky’s frontcourt seems to get longer and deeper by the day.Days after Willie Cauley-Stein decided to come back for his junior season, Marcus Lee followed suit. The 6-foot-9 forward will bypass the NBA Draft and return to UK for his sophomore year, UK announced.”I’ve really enjoyed my college experience and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop as an all-around player,” Lee said in a release. “Playing in the Final Four was such an amazing feeling, but I want to come back and help win that final game this year.”Lee averaged just 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds, battling an illness that dropped 15 pounds from his already slender 215-pound frame, but reminded everyone of his talent after Cauley-Stein went down with a left ankle injury in the Sweet 16. The athletic Antioch, Calif., native and McDonald’s All-American had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the Elite Eight against Michigan, including four memorable put-back dunks in the first half.On the strength of that performance and his potential, Chad Ford told Kyle Tucker of the Louisville Courier-Journal Lee would have been drafted had he entered his name.”I’m excited for Marcus and think he’s barely scratched the surface of what he’s capable of,” head coach John Calipari said. “In addition to his athleticism and the energy level he brings, the experience he gained in the NCAA Tournament this year will be immeasurable for us next season.”Lee would go on to play key minutes in the Final Four, scoring four points and blocking a shot in the national semifinals against Wisconsin.With Lee officially in the fold, UK’s post play for 2014-15 projects to be even stronger. With draft decisions from Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress — as well as guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison — still on the way, Coach Cal already has forwards Cauley-Stein, Lee and Derek Willis to work with. In addition, five-star freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles have already signed letters of intent.
Marcus Lee has decided to return for his sophomore season. Opponents better be ready to box out @SuperKingMe. pic.twitter.com/KsSta8Eyd1
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) April 18, 2014
