A record seven members of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team announced they will enter the NBA draft.
The seven were UK’s top scorers during their 38-1 season that ended last weekend with a loss to Wisconsin in the Final Four.
At a press conference Thursday in Lexington, Junior Willie Cauley-Stein, sophomores Dakari Johnson and Andrew and Aaron Harrison and freshmen Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles and Devin Booker all said they’ve decided to turn pro.
“I mean, of course it was a tough decision for all of us," Guard Aaron Harrison said. "But I think this is all of our dreams so we just want to chase our dreams, really.”
Coach John Calipari said he did not to try to convince anyone to stay or leave, but arranged meetings with the players, their families and NBA team officials early this week to discuss their pro prospects.
“I’m not convincing anyone to stay and I’m not pushing anybody out the door," Calipari said. "This is their choice with their family.”
Karl-Anthony Towns could be the first player chosen overall on June 28. Cauley-Stein and Lyles could soon follow, with both projected as possible lottery selections. Booker is also a potential first-rounder, with the rest projected to go in the second.
(image via Cmadler/Wikimedia Commons)
