Mar 11, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller embraces guard Rawle Alkins (1) after the Wildcats defeated the Oregon ducks 83-80 in the Pac-12 Conference Championship game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Basketball: Should I Stay or Should I Go, That is the Question For Savage Rawle Alkins

Arizona Basketball: Should I Stay or Should I Go, That is the Question For Savage Rawle Alkins by Nick Matt

Arizona Basketball Fans, ‘Hear Ye! Hear Ye!’, King Rawle Alkins announces he will return to take over Tucson!

Arizona Basketball fans have been waiting with bated breath, after a hugely impressive showing at the NBA Combine, would Rawle Alkins stay or go?

Well, wait no longer Wildcats fans, your prayers have been answered!

The answer is…..Rawle Alkins told Zona Zealots this morning.

KING RAWLE WILL BE COMING BACK TO TUCSON! The Savage Life will continue to be alive and well in the Dirty T!

We knew Rawle would kill it in the Combine, just give him a chance to prove he can hang with the big boys, and teams would be vying to get to know this Wildcat and how he ticks.

And NBA teams liked what they saw, they invited him to their teams for workouts, they interviewed him, they were impressed.

The media didn’t think he had a chance at all, but Rawle proved everyone wrong on that count. There was a lot of talk that Alkins reminded them of Lance Stephenson. Even Ari Alexander, KVOA Sports Anchor, changed his mind.

@MadaARmando @ZonaZealots After today I'm not sure. He was the best player on the floor in 5 on 5, measured a great wingspan, and tested well in athletic drills. — Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) May 12, 2017

From Bleacher Report: Rawle Alkins tops the list of guys who raised their stock in Day 1 of the combine: pic.twitter.com/VR5L1syiXH — Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) May 12, 2017

Let’s face it, Rawle played his way into our hearts. His humility, his quiet leadership, his hustle, his never give up attitude on and off the court, screams A Players Program.

Here’s Alkins official announcement:

After much thought and consideration, I have decided to continue my college basketball career back in Tucson at the University of Arizona. Declaring for the NBA Draft has taught me more than I could have imagined and has been an incredible experience. I can’t wait to help the wildcats win a national Championship next year with a great team, great coach, and the most amazing fans in the world behind us!! Bear Down. #SAVAGELIFE 100%

Can you imagine all the possible next season starting lineups? Wouldn’t this be a fun lineup!

Allonzo Trier

Rawle Alkins

Brandon Randolph

De’Andre Ayton

Ira Lee

Note: This is the group I want to see play together. And now with Emmanuel Akot coming to Tucson early, hmm. I am not discounting the importance of Dusan Ristic, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Alex Barcello, Keanu Pinder, Dylan Smith (will be eligible) or Talbott Denny who we know has been dying to contribute for quite a while.

And we cannot forget our walk-on’s who we assume will all be coming back; Jake Desjardins, Paulo Cruz, Kory Jones, and Tyler Trillo. Don’t underestimate the value of having this crew back for the 2017/18 season. It will matter. Chase Jeter will have to wait a year, but the team will get the benefit of playing with him and vice versa.

I think Rawle played this out perfectly. He showed both the NBA what he has to offer, and he will only get better, and he showed the coaching staff at Arizona that they should not sleep on him. For him to come back, they have to give him a major role.

More from Miller:

I am feeling a Final Four berth more now than ever, and possibly a National Championship. Rawle told me that was his goal before he stepped foot in Tucson. Alkins didn’t like losing in the Sweet 16. Arizona needs more of his savage play and mindset in 2017/18, and Sean Miller knows just how important Alkins was to his team’s success (start at 1:16). Alkins, in the tournament, added a ton to the ‘confidence’ of the team.

I cannot wait to tweet during the games this season, RAW-LE, RAW-LE, RAW-LE! So far, he has proven to me that he will be a memorable and loved NBA player, next year! Can you imagine how high his stock will go? TOP 10 BABY!

We all love King Rawle, and we are all very very happy he will be dressing up in red, white and blue playing savage basketball at McKale for one more season!

Time to party? YES, right now it is time to party in Tucson!!!