Juan Anderson returns to Marquette

(USA Today Images)

A little more than a month after being granted his release, junior forward Juan Anderson has decided to return to the Golden Eagles, the team announced early Monday morning.

A source close to the situation revealed to Paint Touches earlier this month that teams from the Pac-12 and Missouri Valley Conference had inquired on Anderson, but that the 6-foot-6 forward did not receive as much interest as he originally thought he would when he made the decision to transfer from Marquette.

“I had an extended opportunity to discuss everything with my family and after those conversations we believed, along with the coaching staff, that Marquette was the best place for me to continue my career,” Anderson said in a press release.

The 6-foot-6 forward started 31 of 35 games last year, averaging 13.0 minutes, 2.7 points and 2.9 rebounds.

Eleven days after Anderson asked for his release, Paint Touches wrote that Marquette would miss what Anderson could have been, noting that a pair of shoulder injuries his freshman season (and sophomore preseason) slowed the former top-70 recruit’s progress.

He rejoins a loaded frontcourt, consisting of seniors Chris Otule, Davante Gardner and Jamil Wilson. Junior-college junior Jameel McKay also arrives on campus this month and could start from Da 1. With Steve Taylor set to miss the next 3-5 months after knee surgery, Anderson could be in line for extended minutes and could jump on the opportunity to play well in Taylor’s absence.

“After multiple conversations that have transpired over the last month with Juan and his family, he has decided to come back to Marquette and rejoin our program,” Buzz Williams said in the release. “He is grateful for this opportunity and I am convinced this is the right thing to do.”

Anderson’s return gives Marquette 13 scholarships. Earlier in the offseason Jake Thomas, who also sought his release from the program, made the decision to return on scholarship.