Huge news for Cardinal basketball in 2017-18.
Just one day before the final deadline to pull your name out of the NBA Draft, Deng Adel has announced that he will return to Louisville for his junior season.
Deng Adel is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and returning to Louisville, a source told @CBSSports. Louisville should be preseason top 10.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) May 23, 2017
Adel, along with teammates Jaylen Johnson and Donovan Mitchell, had all originally entered the draft without signing with an agent back in March. While Johnson and Mitchell ultimately decided to keep their names in the draft, Adel has opted to keep his college career going for at least one more season.
As a sophomore with an expanded role in 2016-17, Adel averaged 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was at his best in the final weeks of the season, scoring 16 points or more in five of U of L’s final six games.
Deng Adel. Oh my. pic.twitter.com/NiwOrXiMv4
— Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) February 23, 2017
Earlier this month, Rick Pitino reiterated a previous claim that he plans to use Adel more in the two guard spot this upcoming season. If that’s truly the case, then improved ball-handling should be the primary summer focus for Adel, who has showcased the versatility necessary to also play the three and the four.
Obviously this is enormous news for Louisville and keeps alive the dream of the Cardinals having a special season in 2017-18. Everyone do the Naruto.
