Here's the good news about Syracuse Basketball. The 2011-2012 team is going to be LOADED. Loaded with talent. Loaded with experience. Loaded with athletes. Loaded with youth. Loaded with depth.
A big part of that was sealed today when Kris Joseph officially made it clear to CNY Central he would not go pro after this season.
Small forward Kris Joseph, a starter on this year’s squad and a third team all-Big East selection, tells CNY Central’s Alex Dunbar and John Evenson that he will return for his senior year. He told CNY Central that he plans to come back for one more shot at a title, and be the leader of the team in 2011-12. Joseph has been mentioned as a possible candidate to leave school early and test the waters of the NBA Draft, but this announcement could put those rumors to rest.
I think we were all pretty sure Kris was returning but it's good to get it out of the way. Kris was almost a foregone conclusion to leave before this season but his erratic play and inability to really step up and lead this team made it clear he's still got work to do.
With Rick Jackson leaving, next year's team is Kris's. If he wants it. It remains to be seen if he can be the leader we expect him to be. Maybe he just needed one more year of seasoning. Whatever it is, it's nice to know he's coming back and brings a ton of experience and athleticism with him. Hopefully he leaves all those charges in this season...
Of course Kris' return also ensures that the roster will be swelled to the limit next year. There's a possibility someone else will have to go in order to make room. We'll see how things develop but for now, it's nice to know we can put that to bed (not that we were too worried...).