CHICAGO — Kentucky coach John Calipari believes Marcus Lee will remain in the NBA Draft, but is uncertain about Isaiah Briscoe.
“Marcus really wants to do this, and my guess is that he’ll keep his name in the draft because this is what he wants to do,” Calipari told reporters Wednesday. “And I just told him to go up there [to the NBA Draft Combine] and do your thing and show the athletic player that you are. But he’s also worked out. We’ve had those guys work out with teams before the combine so two or three teams could evaluate them, talk to them, and Marcus went to the combine.”
The 6-foot-10 Lee is projected as the No. 29 junior by DraftExpress.com and is one of four Kentucky guys here at the NBA Draft Combine, along with Jamal Murray, Skal Labissiere and Tyler Ulis.
Of Labissiere, projected at No. 10 by DraftExpress.com, Calipari said, “If he stayed in school another year or two, he would’ve been the No. 1 pick.”
The 6-3 Briscoe is not here in Chicago but has worked out for the Spurs and Clippers and will work out for the Lakers after the Combine. He is projected at No. 44 in 2017 by DraftExpress.com.
“Don’t know yet,” Calipari said of Briscoe’s plans. “He’s worked out with a few teams. Did a pretty good job. You know, with Isaiah, the whole thing comes back to just shooting the ball. Because they know the other skills that he has translates, including physically and defensively and rebounding. It all translates, so he’s just got to be a more consistent shooter. And if you’re watching the NBA, if you choose to do that, what you’re finding out is that now there is a premium on shooting.
“And if you’re someone that’s going to have the basketball, you’ve got to be able to shoot. You look at Cleveland right now. If Cleveland continues to shoot right now like they’re doing, they may not lose a game in the playoffs. So you’re understanding now that it’s important and they’ll evaluate him, first of all, that way and then they go from there. But he’s got all the other skills.”
Calipari made a reference to the former Roselle (N.J.) Catholic star returning for his sophomore season and said, “When you see him next year.”
Asked if Briscoe was coming back, Calipari said, “I don’t know.”
Both players have until May 25 to decide.
Kentucky remains in the mix for 6-10 DeSoto (TX) big man Marques Bolden, who has yet to decide between Duke and Kentucky.
“If a kid wants to come and walk on our campus in September, I’m fine with that,” he said. “I don’t really care. The reason is you have to be sure that this is what you want or you can’t come here. This isn’t for funnsies here. My thing is whatever happens is whatever happens and however this stuff plays out for anybody is about the extent of what I can say.”
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