Caleb Love withdraws from NBA draft and returns to Arizona; top recruit Joson Sanon moves to rival ASU (Video)

Caleb Love is the returner.

The rising fifth-year senior announced Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the NBA draft and returning to Arizona for his final season. The news prompted top-25 wing Joson Sanon to withdraw his commitment and promptly transfer to rival Arizona State.

Love announced his decision via a social media video.

“Wildcat Nation. It’s been so incredible how you’ve welcomed me and showered me with love,” Love said alongside a highlight video of his only season in Arizona. “I just can’t give that up now.”

Love announced Wednesday that he will withdraw from the draft. Love, a 6-foot-4 scoring guard with a career field goal percentage of 37.5%, was not considered a first-round pick. Instead, he will return to a Wildcats team that could enter the season as a top-10 team.

Love came to Arizona last season after sharing the backcourt with RJ Davis for three years at North Carolina. As the clear No. 1 guard in Arizona, Love averaged 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 41.3% from the field and 33.2% from the three-point line.

His points, rebounds, steals and field goal percentage were all career highs. He was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and a third-team AP All-America selection. His return boosts Arizona’s hopes of a national championship after a disappointing exit in the Sweet 16 in March.

In the long run, that comes at a cost for Arizona. According to Rivals, Sanon is the 25th-ranked player and 8th-ranked small forward in his class. He is a high-scoring scorer, and his skill set would have been redundant with Love’s ability in Arizona.

Will Sanon come back to haunt the Wildcats?

Sanon will now likely face the Wildcats twice a year instead of playing for them. Sanon announced his re-commitment on social media Wednesday afternoon with the caption, “ADD STATE” and an image of the Arizona logo on fire.

Sanon was Arizona’s top-ranked prospect. He is now Arizona State’s second top-25 prospect, joining Rivals’ No. 8 prospect Jayden Quaintance.

After the Pac-12 disbands, Arizona and Arizona State will compete as Big 12 rivals starting next season.