Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks will remain in the NBA Draft and not return to campus for his senior season.
“I want to thank the fans and the city of Lexington. They have been great and I will always be a Kentucky Wildcat,” Meeks said. “I feel comfortable with my decision and I’m confident in my ability. My family and I talked over the weekend and decided this was the best decision.”
The deadline for withdrawing from the draft was 5 p.m. Monday.
Meeks, a second-team AP All-American, averaged 23.7 points and dropped 54 against Tennessee.
His return would have almost certainly made the Wildcats a contender for a national championship in John Calipari’s first year at the school.
The Wildcats are still loaded with big men Patrick Patterson, Daniel Orton and DeMarcus Cousins, wing man DeAndre Liggins and incoming guards John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.
In other NBA Draft news, the Knicks will work out Arizona junior forward Jordan Hill on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6-10 Hill averaged 18.3 points and 11 rebounds last year at Arizona. Read more about him at DraftExpress.com.