UK basketballers declare for NBA Draft 4.20.11

WKYT TV IN LEXINGTON REPORTS KENTUCKY JUNIOR DEANDRE LIGGINS AND FRESHMEN TERRENCE JONES AND BRANDON KNIGHT HAVE DECLARED FOR THE N-B-A DRAFT.

NONE OF THE THREE HAVE SIGNED OR ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SIGN WITH AN AGENT, LEAVING THE POSSIBILITY OPEN THEY WILL RETURN TO UK NEXT SEASON.  UNDERCLASSMEN HAVE UNTIL APRIL 24TH TO DECLARE FOR THE DRAFT AND MAY 8TH TO WITHDRAW THEIR NAMES, PROVIDED THEY HAVE NOT SIGNED WITH AN AGENT.

LIGGINS WAS CONSIDERED KENTUCKY'S DEFENSIVE STOPPER THIS PAST SEASON, WHILE JONES WAS NAMED S-E-C FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE LEAGUE'S COACHES AND S-E-C NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.  KNIGHT WAS A FRESHMAN ALL AMERICAN THIS PAST SEASON. 

COACH JOHN CALIPARI SAID IN A STATEMENT THE THREE WERE A JOY TO COACH THIS YEAR AND WOULD LOVE TO COACH THEM AGAINST NEXT SEASON.  CALIPARI ADDED HE WOULD ALWAYS SUPPORT HIS PLAYERS IN WEIGHING THEIR OPTIONS AND DOING WHAT IS PERSONALLY BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ON THE HEELS OF DORON LAMB'S ANNOUNCEMENT TUESDAY HE PLANS TO RETURN TO KENTUCKY FOR HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON.