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ASU’s Pendergraph will return for senior season
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Arizona State forward Jeff Pendergraph will return to school for his senior season.
The 6-foot-9 Pendergraph averaged 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season, and a career-high 1.65 blocks per game. He was also third in the Pac-10 in field goal percentage (.593).
Following a season-ending loss to Florida in the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals, Pendergraph said he was likely returning next fall, but would also participate in NBA pre-draft camps to get a gauge of his future draft stock and seek counsel on areas of improvement.
In-part because of a recent conversation with Doug Collins, the former NBA coach, current TNT analyst and friend of ASU coach Herb Sendek, Pendergraph scratched that idea.
"The main thing was I had to go in there with the attitude there was no other option and I wasn't feeling it," Pendergraph said. "I'd have to go wanting to go to the NBA. If you go for the experience or get feedback you're not going in with the right attitude and they can see that, and it might hurt you in the long run."
Instead, he'll stay here and work on his mid-range game, ball handling and weight. After playing at 230 to 235 pounds this season, he wants to gain about 10 pounds before next fall.
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