Simon will return for senior year

Simon was named the most valuable player of this year's Final Four in leading the Wildcats to their first NCAA men's basketball national championship. The 6-foot, 5 inch off-guard averaged 22 points in the UA's six tournament games and tied a career-high with 31 points in the 84-79 overtime win over Kentucky in the national championship game on March 31.

"We are thrilled that Miles has decided to return to the University of Arizona for his senior season," UA head caoch Lute Olson said.

"I am looking forward to next season and playing with this group of guys," Simon said. "After experiencing all the excitement of what we accomplished in the NCAA Tournament this year, it was difficult to think about maybe missing out on it again next seas on. When it came right down to it, I am having fun in college and I wanted to get a chance to go after a second national championship"

Simon averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the 25-9 Wildcats after returning from academic suspension in the fall semester.

"In the end, I thought his closeness to the team woud be a deciding factor - and it certainly was in his case," Olson said. "I discussed the situation with both Miles and his father (Walt Simon) and then referred them to various NBA pesonnel, including ge neral managers, scouts and player personnel directors, so they could make a decision based on the facts."

Arizona will become the first defending NCAA champions since the 1967-68 UCLA Bruins to return all five of its starters.