KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Nerlens Noel will enter the NBA draft and not return to the University of Kentucky for his sophomore season.
The announcement was made Monday by the university on its men's
basketball website. The announcement came as no surprised as it had been
widely anticipated that Noel would enter the draft despite his
season-ending torn ACL.
"I support Nerlens' decision to enter his name in the draft and am
excited for him and his future," UK Coach John Calipari said in the
university's news release. "The hard work and will to win he showed on
the floor this year and the dedication and attitude he has shown in his
rehab will only be a reward for him and whatever team drafts him in
June."
"I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I'm ready to take the
next step to the NBA," Noel said in the news release. "I've learned so
much here at UK and am thankful for Coach (John) Calipari, the staff and
my teammates for all of their support. I especially appreciate the Big
Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I've
received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I'll
always be a Wildcat!"
Noel, an Everett, Mass., native, led the nation in blocks as he averaged
4.4 rejections per game and tallied 106 in 24 games played. Prior to
his season-ending knee injury he was the only player standing taller
than 6-foot-5 to rank in the top 30 in steals per outing as he had
accumulated 50 steals on the year.
He averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. His rebounds and
blocked shots led the Southeastern Conference, while he also ranked
among the top-10 players in steals per game, defensive rebounds per
game, offensive rebounds per game and minutes played per game.
Noel finished the season ranked second in UK single-season history with
106 blocks. His 50 steals ranked as the fifth most in a single season by
a freshman. His .590 field-goal percentage is the ninth-best mark in
school history, while his steals per game (2.1) is the seventh-best mark
in school history, the news release said.Lexington -
