Where Kentucky players stand in latest NBA Mock drafts
NBA Draft gurus across all outlets are dropping their latest mocks now that the college basketball season has come to a close. A trio of Kentucky players still have a tough decision to make when it comes to declaring for the pros or coming back to UK, but we’re beginning to get a better idea of where they stand roughly one month out from the NBA Combine.
I came across five different mock drafts that have been updated over the last 48 hours: ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, SB Nation, The Ringer, and USA Today. Here’s what they said about the ‘Cats.
Kentucky freshman guards Shaedon Sharpe and TyTy Washington are still widely considered to go in the lottery among the first 14 selections, with Sharpe ranging from No. 5 to No. 7 and Washington No. 12 to No. 14. Of the five mocks, only ESPN went into the second round, where unanimous National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe fell to the Detroit Pistons with pick No. 44.
Keion Brooks Jr., who recently announced he would test the NBA Draft waters but not hire an agent, was not listed among any of the mocks.
No. 6; Shaedon Sharpe –> Portland Trail Blazers
No. 14; TyTy Washington –> Houston Rockets (from Nets)
No. 44; Oscar Tshiebwe –> Detroit Pistons (from Nets)
No. 6; Shaedon Sharpe –> Portland Trail Blazers
No. 13; TyTy Washington –> Houston Rockets (from Nets)
No. 7; Shaedon Sharpe –> Sacramento Kings
No. 13; TyTy Washington –> Houston Rockets (from Nets)
No. 6; Shaedon Sharpe –> Portland Trail Blazers
No. 12; TyTy Washington –> New York Knicks
No. 5 Shaedon Sharpe –> Indiana Pacers
No. 13 TyTy Washington –> Houston Rockets (from Nets)
Decisions for Sharpe, Washington, and Tshiebwe have yet to be made, although it’s expected that they will at least test the NBA Draft waters. After winning the Wooden Award and completing his NPOY sweep on Tuesday night, Tshiebwe did say he would explore the NBA, although his comments from over the weekend indicate he is open to a return for a senior season.
As for Sharpe and Washington, not many would be surprised if they both left. Historically, projected NBA lottery picks from Kentucky under head coach John Calipari don’t return for another season. Calipari recently said that he “hopes” Sharpe, who did not play a single minute for UK this past season after reclassifying and joining the program midway through the year, returns for a full season in Lexington. Washington, on the other hand, did play a full season for Kentucky and looked every bit the part of a future NBA player.
And the wait continues…
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