Going pro: Kentucky trio declare for draft

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky.

Kentucky freshmen Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight and junior DeAndre Liggins are heading to the NBA. Maybe.

The school announced Wednesday all three players have declared for the NBA draft but will not sign with an agent, clearing the way for them to return to school next fall if they change their mind by May 8.

Jones and Knight are considered mid-to-high first-round picks while Liggins is a defensive stopper who hopes to play his way into the first round after being evaluated by scouts.

The trio helped the Wildcats to their first Final Four appearance in 13 years this spring. Kentucky fell to Connecticut in the national semifinals.

Knight averaged 17.3 points at point guard and proved to be one of the best clutch performers in the country. The 6-foot-3 Knight hit a pair of game-winning shots during the team’s NCAA tournament run. His driving layup helped Kentucky escape an upset bid by Princeton in the second round and his pull-up jumper with five seconds left allowed the Wildcats to knock off top-seeded Ohio State in the regional semifinals.

“Playing in the NBA has always been a dream of mine and this is the next step,” Knight said. “All season long coach has been tutoring me on the fine points of being a point guard, and now I have an opportunity to put my game on display in front of NBA scouts as a result of my hard work.”

Knight’s 657 points were the most by a Kentucky freshman and he also broke the school’s freshman 3-point record by knocking down 87 3s.

Jones averaged 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks and set a Kentucky freshman record by pouring in 35 points in a victory over Auburn in January. He was chosen SEC Newcomer of the Year by The Associated Press.

Liggins will have the most to prove. He blossomed into one of the country’s top defenders but remains limited offensively. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while leading the team with 46 steals.

“Growing up in a tough environment in Chicago, it’s a pleasure to have an opportunity to do something special,” said Liggins.