DeAngelo Casto will not return for senior season

DeAngelo Casto made it official yesterday…he will not return for his senior season and will explore professional opportunities.

Most likely, those opportunities will not land him anywhere in North America, but he can still make good money in Europe, Asia or South America.

Casto’s departure is certainly due to the fact that even though a senior year would improve him as a player, it probably wouldn’t make him a solid NBA prospect, and with a family to think about, the prospect of pro dollars (or Euros) was certainly too much to pass up.

Of course, it’s a giant blow to this team who will have a gaping hole in the middle next year. Brock Motum, though improved, will never be the power forward-type that Casto is and that this team needs.

Fortunately, Ken Bone picked up JC-transfer DJ Shelton, a 6-9 forward who is expected to come in and play right away. Obviously, he’s going to be more raw than Casto, but his athleticism will be a welcomed sight.

Now, we wait on Klay Thompson’s announcement. He’s certainly going to test the waters, but his ultimate decision does not have to come until May 8th, the deadline for the draft.

Here’s an article from the Seattle Times about the Casto situation.

Go Cougs and good luck DeAngelo, we wish you the best!