Shaedon Sharpe explains why he didn't play at Kentucky before entering NBA

Former Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe spoke about why he did not play a game for Kentucky before entering the NBA draft. Sharpe joined Kentucky as one of the top prospects in the nation, ranked a five-star prospect in the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2021 recruiting class.

However, Sharpe made the decision to sit out his freshman season with the Wildcats and then chose to enter the NBA draft and leave behind his college eligibility without playing a single game.

Shaedon Sharpe on why he didn’t play for Kentucky

Sharpe’s decision to not play for the Wildcats has made him a sore subject for Kentucky fans as he joined the NBA ranks. Many fans feel that although he committed to the team, he wasn’t a Wildcat in the same way as their other players were — something that Sharpe has admitted wasn’t a priority for him during his time with the team.

“Getting my body right, getting a little bit stronger, a little bit bigger. My mindset was, get my body right,” said Sharpe, via Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report.

Sharpe made it clear that his decision to join Kentucky was made with the NBA in mind — as he used his opportunity to improve himself physically. Earlier in the draft process, Sharpe spoke about his decision to not play and stated that it was solely his decision and not one made by Kentucky.

“I did talk to Cal about it, my coach, trainer, even my parents. But, at the end of the day, it was my decision to not play,” said Sharpe. “… So I was just in the gym every day, working out. Really, for me, whatever happened would happen, and I’d be ready for it.”

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Sharpe with the seventh pick of the 2022 NBA Draft last week, trusting in his development although he hadn’t played in a game since his senior year of high school. TyTy Washington was the only other former Kentucky player selected in the first round of the draft, being selected 29th by the Memphis Grizzlies and traded to the Houston Rockets.