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A versatile redshirt sophomore from Estonia, Veesaar played a significant role at center and power forward this season, and appeared capable of playing at an all-conference level as a fourth-year junior next season.

Stephen, a native of Nigeria who signed with UA out of Glendale Dream City, played in just eight games as a freshman. He gave up a redshirt season when injured center Motiejus Krivas was shelved again in December, and showed promise with his athleticism, length and infectious energy.

Travis Branham of 247 Sports and others reported that Veesaar and Stephen would be entering the portal, following the lead of guard KJ Lewis, who retweeted a post Saturday saying it was “time for a fresh start.�

Other Wildcats also face decisions about their future this week after holding postseason meetings with UA coach Tommy Lloyd and possibly considering a transfer market in which the going rate for top players may be rising.

The average power conference men’s basketball program had a collective budget of about $3 million entering this season, according to NIL advisory firm Opendorse, and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ GM Matt King said last fall the Wildcats were on par with other elite programs.

But veteran college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman tweeted Tuesday that agents now are asking $2.5-$3 million for just one of the top college players in the portal, suggesting elite teams may need NIL budgets of $5-10 million to remain competitive.

In any case, Veesaar’s productivity this season suggested a brighter future either at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ or in the NIL marketplace this spring.

After playing a limited role as a freshman in 2022-23 and sitting out last season with an elbow injury suffered in a preseason golf cart accident, Veesaar broke out this season as a third-year player, able to guard multiple positions, as well as creating mismatches with his offensive versatility.

Veesaar averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds while starting five of 37 games, mostly playing off the bench behind starting post players Tobe Awaka and fifth-year forward Trey Townsend.

He scored in double figures during seven of UA’s eight February games, leading the Wildcats to a 74-67 win at Baylor on Feb. 17 in his first start with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists along with two steals and a block.

“You know, Henri is turning into Hank right in front of our eyes,� UA coach Tommy Lloyd said after the Baylor game, referencing an inside joke in a way that appeared to suggest Veesaar was more comfortable with a physical American game. “I’m super proud of him.�

Veesaar started the Wildcats’ next three games at power forward, giving the Wildcats a big look along with the physical Tobe Awaka at center, before yielding to Townsend during UA’s Senior Night game with ASU on March 4.

Veesaar wound up scoring a career-high 22 points against the Sun Devils that night but had just five points in a foul-plagued effort while starting in UA’s loss at Kansas on March 8.

After that game, Lloyd reinserted Townsend in the starting lineup for the rest of the season, though Veesaar had indicated after the Baylor game that he was fine either way.

“It feels amazing to start. Everybody wants to start,� Veesaar said at Baylor. “I think this year I’m finally getting more opportunities to show what I can really do and capitalizing on them. I think coach is trusting me more compared to my freshman year, and I just need to show what I can do and help the team.

“But I’m happy to do whatever anybody wants me to do, whatever is best for the team.�

Veesaar’s production even drew him into the NBA Draft conversations, with The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie tweeting that “he’s gonna play in the NBA� because of how well he moves, his hands and coordination. Lloyd was even semi-jokingly asked before the Wildcats’ second-round NCAA Tournament game with Oregon if he was holding back or “hiding� Veesaar from NBA scouts.

“That’s insulting,� Lloyd retorted. “It literally makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when people are saying that because it’s coming from a place of ignorance, and it’s really disrespectful to say that to a coach. To think that I would hide a kid is crazy.�

Stephen played a much-lower profile role for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, expected to redshirt until Krivas was shelved for the season in December when he suffered a setback in the foot/ankle injury that kept him out most of the season.

Stephen dressed for UA’s Dec. 14 game against UCLA and played in the next two, showing off his athleticism, energy and length as he had even during the Wildcats’ preseason Red-Blue Showcase in October.

Just after hitting the floor for his first game on Dec. 18 against Samford, Stephen arched back to tip in a slightly off alley oop pass from guard Conrad Martinez — and then committed a defensive foul on the Bulldogs’ next possession.

Stephen played season-highs of nine minutes each against Central Michigan on Dec. 21 and at Oklahoma State on Jan. 21, collecting six points and six rebounds against the Chippewas.

“I thought today was the best he’s looked ever playing basketball,� Lloyd said of Stephen after the Central Michigan game. “And I’ve watched him in high school. He looked really good today, so that was encouraging.�

Stephen played in only two games after the Oklahoma State game. But after he played two minutes in UA’s first-round NCAA Tournament win over Akron on March 21, Stephen said he was prioritizing patience.

“It’s kind of tough for me,� he said. “But I know I’m in a good program. It might take two years or three years. We’re just waiting for our time.�

Rim shots

– University of San Francisco forward Tyron Riley said he held Zoom meetings with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Creighton and Texas, according to On3 Sports. A WCC all-freshman pick this season, Riley averaged 9.6 points and 6.0 rebounds while starting all 34 games he played in.

– Former UA guard Kerr Kriisa announced he is heading back into the transfer portal for his sixth season of college basketball, after playing for West Virginia in 2023-24 and Kentucky this season. Because Kriisa played the COVID year of 2020-21 and was injured early this season, he will have a sixth season of eligibility.

– Former UA signee Joson Sanon signed with St. John’s after spending his freshman season at ASU.