Kentucky Wildcat's 5 for Thursday: At least Calipari does not turn out "11 games and done" players
By Paul Jordan
Now this is taking “one and done” to a whole new level. Duke freshman Kyrie Irving announced that he will be entering the NBA Draft and hiring an agent after playing just 11 games this season for Duke. Get ready for all the pundits to howl that Coach K Calipari is ruining college basketball by his taking on these one and done players. So this makes a couple of big names so far to announce that they are leaving school early. Trey Thompkins announced yesterday that he would not return to Georgia.
There is no word yet on what Kentucky’s players will do, but they still have over two weeks to decide. There is a pretty impressive list of players that are returning to school next year as UNC’s Tyler Zeller and John Henson and Kansas’s Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson have announced their intent to return to school.
I tend to disagree but Jeff Goodman seems to think that both Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight should go pro … NOW. Guess Goodman could not find any more two year old secondary violations to dig up so now he is a regular Ann Landers with his advice. Here is what he has to say:
BRANDON KNIGHT, KENTUCKY
His stock will never be higher than it is right now. NBA folks are convinced he’s a clear lottery pick because of his ability to score and his maturity running the team.
Goodman’s advice: Go. There’s no reason to come back, especially with Marquis Teague — a true point guard — coming to Lexington next year. Knight would have the ball in his hands a lot less, and his stock would drop.
TERRENCE JONES, KENTUCKY
Although he didn’t have a terrific second half of the year, the NBA execs saw more than enough from him. The knock, as I said before the season, was his inconsistency. But the potential is clearly there.
Goodman’s advice: Bolt now. Although he didn’t finish as strong as Knight, Jones’ ceiling is even higher. That’s what matters to a lot of these NBA guys. Potential. Hit it while you can, Terrence, and go now.
Like I said, I tend to disagree. Both Knight and Jones are projected at the lower end of the lottery scale, and this is without knowing who else may come out. I think that Knight can only benefit from Teague in the lineup. Knight can move to his natural position and score 20-22 points a night, while another season of seasoning will make Jones a top five pick. We could be looking at a better draft than the Wall/Cousins 1 and 5 combo.
Jorts is back on Twitter. Enuff said.
In the event that Brandon Knight is headed for the NBA, we will always have his Kentucky mixtape to remember him by:
And I am sure that John Wall would like to warn Knight about those farting reporters in the NBA:
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