Carson hints of sophomore year as 'last go-round' at ASU
TEMPE, Ariz. -- It would surprise no one if Arizona State sophomore point guard Jahii Carson opts to turn pro after the 2013-14 season, and the ever-forthcoming Carson seemed to make it official Tuesday by tweeting Tuesday about his "last go-round" at ASU.
Carson has not officially informed ASU that this will be his last season, but it seems to go without saying after he averaged 18.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds a 1.2 steals in his freshman year, leading ASU to a 22-13 record.
"It was a hard enough decision to come back" for his sophomore season, said a source familiar with situation.
Carson, 21, put his name in for consideration for the 2013 NBA draft but took himself out of the mix when a panel of NBA scouts said that he would not go in the lottery, the first 14 picks of the draft.
The co-Freshman of the Year with UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad, Carson led NCAA freshmen in scoring and ranked sixth all-time among Pac-12 freshmen in season scoring and assists.
ASU is leaving for an exhibition tour of China later this week.
The 5-foot-11 Carson is projected as the 17th pick in the 2014 draft by one draft service. He was ineligible to play in 2011-12 because of academic issues.
With Carson at point, the Sun Devils have a strong shot at a first-division finish in the Pac-12 this season. Starting center Jordan Bachynski and forward Jonathan Gilling also return, and transfers Richie Edwards (Valparaiso), Jermaine Marshall (Penn State) and Brandon Kearney (Michigan State) gain eligibility.
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