After his teammates P.J Washington and Wenyen Gabriel released their NBA Draft decisions, Jarred Vanderbilt waited a few hours before releasing a video that announced he would remain in the NBA Draft.
You can watch the video here.
Vanderbilt played just one season in the Bluegrass. In fact, a foot injury sidelined him for all but 14 regular season games. Then, just before the SEC Tournament, Vanderbilt suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the entire postseason.
The young forward even missed the NBA Draft Combine due to injury.
His injury history, along with a low average of 5.9 points and 7.9 rebounds, led his decision to come with shock.
A freshman who played just 14 games and failed to average double digits in points or rebounds doesn’t seem like the type of player scouts fall in love with. However, after receiving comparisons to Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, there must be a team that believes solely on his potential.
Vanderbilt’s decision to leave wraps up the draft decisions for the Wildcats.
Gabriel elected to stay in the draft while Washington will return for another season. Vanderbilt joins Gabriel, Hamidou Diallo, Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as players who have the chance to hear their name called on draft night.
While it’s highly unlikely Gabriel is drafted, The Ringer’s latest mock draft had Vanderbilt going 40th overall (second round) to the Brooklyn Nets. The pick makes some sense, as they aren’t very invested at the power forward position and are in no hurry to contend for a title, therefore Vanderbilt should have every opportunity to prove himself.
Vanderbilt’s return would have bolstered a deadly front line for Kentucky. The Wildcats would have been able to add Vanderbilt to an already tough group of E.J. Montgomery, Keldon Johnson, Nick Richards and Washington. That’s not to mention the potential addition of Stanford transfer Reid Travis.
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