Shaqquan Aaron expected to stay at U of L

Freshman wing Shaqquan Aaron plans to return to the University of Louisville for his sophomore season, Rick Pitino confirmed to The Courier-Journal on Wednesday.

There had been some rumblings that Aaron, a 6-foot-7 Seattle native, was considering leaving the program, but Pitino said Aaron never thought about transferring. Scout.com first reported that Aaron was planning to stay.

"He told me he loves it here (and) wants to get better," Pitino said.

At Monday's end-of-season press conference, it was clear that Pitino was frustrated with Aaron's development through his freshman season. Aaron, the highest-rated prospect in Louisville's 2014 signing class, never cracked the regular rotation this past season, averaging 7.2 minutes and 1.3 points over 23 appearances and two starts.

"I don't know about that one," Pitino said Monday. "I haven't seen enough to like yet. It's a wait and see. He came in late. He's got a bad body. He's not thrilled with the weight room -- just until the last month he got serious about it. He needs a makeover."

Aaron returning ends the 48-hour speculation over which U of L players would seek transfers. Pitino said Monday that as many as three could leave the program, but only sophomore guard Anton Gill is planning to leave.

It was a tumultuous season for Aaron. He was forced to sit out the first nine games of the season after the NCAA ruled that Aaron's parents accepted illegal benefits to pay for housing. Because of that setback, Aaron was far behind the rest of the team in terms of in-game development.

In February, when senior small forward Wayne Blackshear fouled out at Syracuse, Pitino didn't play Aaron, who was Blackshear's backup this past season.

Asked why, Pitino said Aaron wasn't "a Louisville man," and questioned the player's work ethic. He later said Aaron responded well to the criticism, and Aaron said there was nothing to Pitino's words beyond frustration.

With a full offseason in front of him, Aaron can focus on adding weight to his lanky frame. He spent most of the season at 180 pounds, and Pitino has maintained since Aaron arrived on campus that he must get stronger and bigger.

That now becomes imperative with the graduation of Blackshear. Aaron is the only returning small forward on the roster, and he'll compete with incoming freshman Deng Adel for time.