By Keith Taylor
KyForward senior sports writer
Kentucky’s entire eligible roster, including the walk-ons, declared for the NBA Draft Wednesday.
Because of a new rule adopted by the NCAA Division I council, players can declare for the draft and workout for an NBA team in hopes of getting an invite to the NBA combine set for May 11-15 in Chicago. If players who have declared for the draft haven’t signed with an agent, they have until May 25 to withdraw from the draft and return to college.
The current rule gives players more time to make up their mind and get a fair assessment regarding their draft status.
Tyler Ulis, Jamal Murray and Skal Labissiere are expected to remain in the draft, but others, including Isaiah Briscoe, Marcus Lee, Derek Willis, Dominique Hawkins, Charles Matthews and Mychal Mulder are expected to return next season. Freshmen Isaac Humphries and Tai Wynyard are ineligible to declare for the draft because of age guidelines.
ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford currently has Murray as a No. 4 pick, followed by Labissiere at No. 15 and Ulis is listed 20th on the current draft projection board. Ben Simmons of LSU is expected to be the top pick in the draft.
Kentucky coach John Calipari met with the team Wednesday and congratulated the Wildcats on a 27-9 season and set the agenda for the remainder of the semester.
“(I) told them that during the season it’s about the team and sacrificing for each other – which they did this year,” he said on his twitter feed. “When the season’s over, it’s about each individual player and what’s right for them and their families.”
Calipari likes the new rule, which provides more flexibility for the players, including ones who are undecided regarding their future plans.
“It’s a true win-win for the student-athlete,” he said.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com