Last week CBS announced that Kentucky's roster has had the most improvement throughout the offseason compared to every other program in the country. That was even without a Davion Mintz return, or a potential Jalen Duren reclassification and commitment.
On Thursday afternoon, the sixth-year guard announced he would be returning to Kentucky for another go-around.
"First of all, I want to thank everyone for the support they have provided me the last couple of months while I pursued my dream of playing professionally," Mintz said. "I really appreciate the support from my coaches, my teammates and my family while I went through this process. I wanted to give it a real shot and I feel like I did that. I know that I am ready and closer to my ultimate goal of playing in the NBA.
"Having said that, my heart has guided me back to Kentucky for one more year. I want another season on the national stage to prove that I am ready to play at the highest level. I can't wait to get back to Lexington with my teammates and experience the full effect of Big Blue Nation. It's time to get back to work."
After going through the NBA Draft evaluation process, Mintz will withdraw his name from the 2021 NBA Draft less than a week prior to the July 7 NCAA deadline.
Mintz will be the first Wildcat to return to school after leading the team in scoring average the previous season since Randolph Morris led the 2005-06 squad and came back to Kentucky for the 2006-07 season.
"I am so happy for Davion because he was able to explore all of his options and decided to come back to a place that he loves," UK head coach John Calipari said. "He is one of the most appreciative players I have coached in my time here. I said to his parents after last season, 'I can coach him for the next 10 years.' He is that kind of person, player and leader. Our team is different than last season and there is more competition, but there is no question that Davion makes us better. He improved so much from the start of last season to the end and I can't wait to see that continued growth in his second year with us."
BOOM. It's go time baby.