*Photo by Regina Rickert
Wildcat Julius Randle has decided to forgo his sophomore season at Kentucky and enter the NBA Draft, he announced during a press conference on Tuesday.
The star freshman is expected to be a lottery pick and joins teammate James Young in the draft. Fellow Cats Aaron and Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress have yet to announce their intentions.
Randle was named SEC Freshman of the Year, while also being selected First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman during his season at Kentucky. He recorded 24 double-doubles, a national best and freshman school record. He averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Via @CoachCalDotCom:
Randle: “To all the Kentucky fans, I want to thank you all for what you’ve done for me this year.”
Randle said he did consider coming back. “I’m definitely going to miss it. … Kentucky will always have a special place in my heart.”
Randle said he got a lot of positive feedback from the NBA, enough to make him decide to turn pro.
“I’ll grow old one day and be able to tell my children and grandchildren” about what I did at UK, Randle says.
“Kentucky will have a special place in my heart.”
Randle’s mom is very happy today. Said she knew when she left Elite Eight early to get to work it was the last time. pic.twitter.com/hpc4lNc3YX
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) April 22, 2014
Willie Cauley-Stein, Jon Hood, Tod Lanter and Alex Poythress were in attendance to support their teammate, but Julius’ shoes stole the show:
OK, I know I'm old, but somebody explain these shoes Julius Randle wore to his announcement Thursday. pic.twitter.com/kq9ORRaWff
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) April 22, 2014
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