Yves Pons returning to Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers just got arguably their best player back for the 2020-21 college basketball season.

Reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Yves Pons has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will return for his senior season.

This past season, Pons averaged 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He recorded at least one block in all 31 games he played in.

This was easily the biggest stay-or-go decision remaining in the SEC, which Tennessee will now have a strong change at winning next season now that Pons is back in the fold. They return the majority of last year’s roster to go with the No. 4 overall recruiting class for 2020.

Of course, the Kentucky Wildcats will also be one of, if not the favorite to win the conference again next season, especially if senior center Olivier Sarr is ruled eligible. But even if he is, Tennessee is still going to be a tough opponent to beat next season with the blend of proven veterans and talented freshmen they’ll have.

Let’s get it on.

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