Here’s the official release from UK:For immediate release
Three Wildcats Declare for NBA Draft
Underclassmen have until May 8 to withdraw from the draft
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky junior DeAndre Liggins and freshmen Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight have declared for this year’s NBA Draft. None of the three have signed or announced plans to sign with an agent.
Liggins, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chicago, served as the Wildcats’ defensive stopper this season, consistently drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive threat. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range.
He was named to the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team and was also named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by Yahoo! Sports, as well as being named to the SEC All-Defensive Team by the league’s coaches.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to enter my name into the draft, putting me one step closer to realizing my dream,” Liggins said. “Growing up in a tough environment in Chicago, it’s a pleasure to have an opportunity to do something special. This is another challenge I’m looking forward to, to have my game evaluated by pro scouts and see how I rank against some of the top players in the world.”
Jones, a 6-8 forward from Portland, Ore., was named a fourth team All-American by CollegeHoops.net and a Freshman All-American by several outlets. He averaged 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Jones led the league in double-doubles (13) and rebounding, ranked sixth in blocks and seventh in scoring.
He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches and SEC Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press.
“Coach Cal and the rest of the staff pushed us all year long and helped us develop every part of our game to help prepare us for this point in our lives,” Jones said. “This will be a great chance for me to measure my skills against some of the best in the country and receive additional information on where I fit into this year’s draft.”
Knight, a 6-3 guard from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., led the team and ranked fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 17.3 points per game. His 4.2 assist average was second in the SEC. He set the UK freshman scoring record, scoring 657 points, and also broke the UK freshman 3-point record with 87 3s.
A Freshman All-American, Knight was also named the NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player as well as fifth-team All-America by FoxSports.com.
“Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine and this is the next step,” Knight said. “All season long coach has been tutoring me on the fine points of being a point guard, and now I have an opportunity to put my game on display in front of NBA scouts as a result of my hard work.”
“I support the decision these three have made to take advantage of the process of putting their names in the draft,” UK men’s basketball coach John Calipari said. “They were a joy to coach this year and I would love the opportunity to continue to coach them again next season. I will always support my players in weighing their options and doing what is personally best for them and their families.”
Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the draft and have until May 8 to withdraw their name from the draft, provided they do not sign with an agent.
The 2011 NBA Draft will take place on June 23.
All expected. The key question now is the feedback they get and if they hire an agent.
I would not be shocked if two of the three (probably Liggins and ?) return next season.
We’ll see.
Mark Liptak
All three could get drafted. Liggins early 2nd round; his first two years of decision making on the court will hurt him more than anything. Jones will go in the middle of first round much like Pat P. did last year; he shall need to work more on skill developing of going to his rightnand and a quicker three point and jump shot release ( He has the natural ability to accomplish these and the NBA body at an early age.) Knight has a very good chance now to go in the lottery’s top five picks; he has all the skills to be a great point NBA guard , both physical athleticism and cerebral smarts to run an NBA offense. He will be a good role model for childern and image for a team. Kinght, as well as Liggins and Jones, bring the UK fan base market with them. The NBA is first and last all about business and profits; these players have established marketability with nation and international know good images established withe teir playing at Ky. and the season they enjoyed. May be better players out there, but none that have the marketability that these Ky. Wildcats have already established with such a good image. Knight and Jones are really young. Their ages are at the point in years past that most high school seniors were when they were drafted just after high school. So they also get an A++ for potential. John Wall was (is) as a freshman more than a year older than Knight. A lot of difference exist in deveopement, both physical and emotional, between the two at the same stage in their basketball careers. Yet, Knight set all of Ky.’s records for a freshman except some bigs’ records, and all the ones formally held by Wall. This now a definitely a weak draft, Knight cannot improve what he has to offer the NBA by coming back. Shooting guards and forwards are a dime a dozen.(What happen to X. Henry from KU?) Knight will be accually hurt NBA draft wise by coming back and splitting time at the point and shooting guard, and will probably play less minutes. This could also hurt team chemistry and the developement of the team as well as Miller, Lamb and Teague. Knight should go pro, and probably Jones. This would be the best for
them and the team in the longrun – March and April 2012.
Hill:
If Liggens goes in the second round he is NOT guaranteed a contract. With that uncertantly plus a probable lockout I’m heavily leaning that he’ll return.
I think Knight is gone…Jones, hard to say…his situation improved by other frontcourt players staying but he has some real holes in his game. Again with the lockout and the possibility of being an even higher pick next year if he stays and does well,I think there’s a decent chance (say 40%) he returns.
Mark Liptak
I don’t see how a late first round NBA championship contender team would not consider Liggins for instant help with his shooting and defensive.
Mark and Jon: We pretty much agree. Jon, Liggins could go late first round as this draft is presently composed; but I still think that, even in this draft, his NBA stock is the highest it will ever be. Next year he will get less playing time by the SEC Conference Schedule. That happen this year when Lamb took his starting position by the SEC tourney. If Liggins is to have a chance at a NBA career as an off guard, it is now in this draft, ala Jodie Meeks without the scoring ability. Although a contract is not guaranteed for a second rounder, most always the early ones get a good six figure contract. As a shooting guard, Liggins will never have a better chance to make the NBA. I think that Jones is only 5 to 10% likely to return, if that. Knight is gone! But what do I know; I done get any bucks or respect. Just call me RD. Thanks, I enjoyed our chat. Go Big Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5
Liggin’s Can Stop Derrick Rose (not everytime), and his “S” turns and long reach dribbles…Liggin’s is quick and has a long reach…With all these smaller, quicker guards coming in the NBA, you need a Liggins to offset this trend. New weapon , New defensive tactic…The Art Of War, Baby…A smart GM gets Liggins in the mid first round # 18 – 26. Larry T Clemons, gallerty721.com
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