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Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress returning to Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky's frontcourt will bring back size and experience next season after freshman center Dakari Johnson and sophomore forward Alex Poythress announced they would return.

The 7-foot Johnson started 18 of Kentucky's final 20 games and shot 62 percent during the NCAA tournament. Poythress averaged 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds and showed more flashes of his talent during the Wildcats' run to the national title game.

In statements released hours apart Wednesday, Johnson said he wanted to build his skills and win a championship, and Poythress said he wanted ''to make sure that I'm NBA-ready before I make that jump.''

Johnson and Poythress will return along with 6-9 freshman Marcus Lee and 7-foot sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein, who announced their decisions last week.

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