Kuksiks: I'm coming back
Rihards Kuksiks wanted to make it clear.
"I'm coming back," he said Thursday, addressing rumors that he would forfeit his final year of eligibility to play professionally overseas. "I'm definitely coming back."
If so, Kuksiks, a sharp-shooting forward, likely would be a key piece in Arizona State's quest to return to the NCAA Tournament next season. He'll be a senior.
And he feels as if he has something to prove.
Kuksiks expected to be a go-to option last season. Instead, he was inconsistent. He scored 27 points against San Francisco, 24 against Cal Santa Barbara and 25 against Oregon.
But he disappeared at times as the season progressed.
From Jan. 28 to Feb. 27, a stretch of nine games, Kuksiks scored in double figures only three times, performances that affected his rebounding, defense and body language.
"I didn't play the best basketball I could play," said Kuksiks, who still led ASU in scoring at 12.1 points per game. "That's why I was upset for a lot of the season."
Kuksiks plans to return to his native Latvia after he completes his summer-school classes. He said he would practice with the national team and prepare for next season.
"With the new guys coming in, I'm looking forward to playing with them," said Kuksiks, referring to Herb Sendek's five-man class that includes guards Keala King, Corey Hawkins and Brandon Dunson as well as forward Chanse Creekmur and center Jordan Bachynski.
It's possible Kuksiks could change his mind over the next two months, especially during his stay in Latvia, but he said he didn't see that happening.
"I'm pretty firm with the decision that I have right now," he said.
