(Vicky Graff Photo)
Ashton Hagans is coming back for year two. Kentucky men’s basketball’s starting point guard in 2018-19 and one of the best defenders in the country announced Tuesday he will be returning to UK next season as a sophomore.
“We had a great season this year but I want more,” Hagans said. “I know I’ve only scratched the surface with my game and there’s so much more I want to accomplish at Kentucky. Coach Cal and the staff have challenged me since day one, and I know with another season at UK we can chase some special things with the same mindset. I can’t wait to get back to work with my brothers.”
With several decisions still looming from Kentucky’s 2018-19 roster, Hagans’ return will definitely bolster what should be another strong team in 2019-20. Hagans led the Wildcats in assists (160) and steals (61) as a freshman while starting 30 of 37 games.
“I had a great meeting with Ashton,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “He had a wonderful season but he’s not satisfied. He said his desire was to come back and continue to grow and do some special things at Kentucky. That’s all I needed to hear. He’s ready for the challenge, and I’m all in with in with him.”
Hagans became one of the Wildcats’ most impactful players late in the nonconference season with suffocating defense. Embracing his role as a defensive stopper, he tied the school record with eight steals vs. North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic (previously set by Wayne Turner on Nov. 24, 1997, vs. George Washington and Rajon Rondo on Feb. 19, 2005, vs. Mississippi State).
Hagans finished the season with 61 steals, tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the third-most steals by a freshman in school history. His 1.6 steals per game ranked eighth in the Southeastern Conference.
Hagans’ work on the defensive side of the ball earned him SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors alongside LSU’s Tremont Waters. He was also tabbed to the SEC All-Defensive Team, the CollegeInsider.com Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team, the CollegeInsider.com Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team and the Athletic’s All-Glue Team. He was a Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year finalist and twice won SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
(STORY FROM UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS)
