It seems like Kentucky sends its entire team to the NBA every year. Usually that statement is just hyperbole, but John Calipari will attempt to make it a fact this year.
The Kentucky coach announced Wednesday in a series of tweets that every player on his roster who is eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft will submit his name for said draft — including the walk-ons.
With that being said, every player who is eligible for the draft, including our walk-ons, will submit their names for the NBA Draft …
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 23, 2016
… in hopes of being invited to the combine in May.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 23, 2016
Calipari’s seemingly ridiculous announcement will take advantage of a new rule passed by the NCAA in January that will give players more time and flexibility as it relates to their decisions to go pro. In short, it allows players to declare for the draft multiple times and withdraw that declaration up to 10 days after the NBA combine, when they supposedly would have a better idea of where they stand.
Calipari appears to be on board with this rule.
The new rule states they can submit their name a total of three times. If they choose to withdraw, they have until 10 days after the combine
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 23, 2016
It's a true win-win for the student-athlete.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 23, 2016
Just so you know, having every kid put their name in the draft is about all players getting the right information.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) March 23, 2016
Kentucky, which fell to Indiana in the Round of 32 in this year’s NCAA Tournament, has a handful of premier NBA prospects, headlined by projected top-10 pick Jamal Murray and potential first-rounders Skal Labissiere and Tyler Ulis.
It’s highly unlikely you’ll see every eligible Wildcat taken in this year’s draft, but apparently Calipari intends to take full advantage of the new rule to bolster his school’s reputation as a premier NBA pipeline.
Thumbnail photo via Steven Branscombe/USA TODAY Sports Images
