UK freshman star Nerlens Noel, whose season was cut short when he tore his ACL at Florida, will enter the NBA draft, the University of Kentucky announced Monday.
“I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I’m ready to take the next step to the NBA,” the All-American Noel said in a post at CoachCal.com. “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 is projected as a top three pick in this year’s draft. If that happens it would be the sixth consecutive season that a player coached by John Calipari is selected in the top five of the NBA draft.
“I support Nerlens’ decision to enter his name in the draft and am excited for him and his future,” Calipari said. “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.”
Freshman guard Archie Goodwin also declared for the June 27 draft. Freshmen Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress, along with sophomore Kyle Wiltjer, announced that they will return next season where UK will welcome the number-one recruiting class in the country. The team is an early favorite to win the national championship.
Noel, who missed the final nine games of UK’s lackluster season that ended with an opening round loss to Robert Morris in the NIT, finished second in UK single-season history with 106 blocks. He average 4.4 blocks per game, leading the nation. Additionally, Noel averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and led the SEC in rebounds and blocks.
From Coach Cal.com:
He also ranked among the top 10 players in steals per game, defensive rebounds per game, offensive rebounds per game and minutes player per game.
Noel’s 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 the program record books.
Photo: Nerlens Noel