Alex Poythress will return to Kentucky

Sophomore forward Alex Poythress will return to the Kentucky men's basketball program for the 2014-15 season, he announced Wednesday.

"Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine, but I want to make sure that I'm NBA-ready before I make that jump," Poythress said. "By coming back, I'll be so much closer to earning my degree in business and it will give me another year to prepare my game and my body for the next level."

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in helping lead the Wildcats to the NCAA title game. He shot better than 68 percent from the field in the NCAA Tournament, including an eight-point, seven-rebound performance in the Final Four against Wisconsin.

"I'm excited for Alex and the decision he's arrived at," head coach John Caliparisaid. "I'm proud of the work he committed to this past season, on and off the floor, and think he's ready to take that next step and lead this team next season."

The Clarksville, Tenn., native tallied a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) in UK's season-opener against UNC Asheville and pulled down 12 rebounds two games later against second-ranked Michigan State.

Fellow sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein and freshman Marcus Lee announced their intentions to return for the 2014-15 season last week.