Pac-12 co-Freshman of the Year Carson to return to Arizona State

Carson led all freshmen, nationally, in scoring with 18.5 points per game

Mesa High School's Jahii Carson, who earned Pac-12 co-Freshman of the Year and was the nation's top freshmen scorer at 18.5 points per game, will return to Arizona State for his sophomore season a year after he led the Sun Devils to a 22-win season, including a school-record matching 16 at home.

Carson's 18.5 points per game was the seventh-best by a freshman in Pac-12 history and second in Sun Devil records only to Ike Diogu's 19.0 in 2002-03. His 177 assists ranks sixth in Pac-12 history for a freshman and is a Sun Devil freshmen record.

"At this time it is in my best interest to continue my career at Arizona State," said Carson. "ASU has been very good to me and I enjoy my teammates and coaching staff, and that was a big part of my decision. The option to try the NBA was there, but all my energy is now invested in being the best Sun Devil I can be and lead our team to a great season."

Carson became the first Sun Devil freshmen to both start and play in 35 games. His Pac-12 leading 37.2 minutes per game topped the school freshmen record of 34.1 by Harden. He also set Sun Devil freshmen records for points (647), field goals made (231) and attempted (488), assists (177), total minutes (1,303) and 20-point games (18).

He was named one of eight finalists for the Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of Year Award which was won by Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart.

"Jahii is a special player and a special person," says Sun Devil head coach and 2009-10 Pac-10 Coach of the Year Herb Sendek, who led ASU to its fourth 20-win season in his seven years in 2012-13 after having just three in the previous 25 seasons. "He was excellent in everything he did and is not only fun to watch, but a joy to coach, and we look forward to continue to working with him in 2013-14."