Kentucky freshman guard Shaedon Sharpe will enter the 2022 NBA Draft but is keeping his college eligibility, he said Thursday.
Projected as a lottery pick, the 6-foot-6 Ontario native was a midyear enrollee who joined Kentucky in January. He has yet to play for the Wildcats, deciding to wait instead until the 2022-23 season.
“Through discussions with Coach (John Calipari), my parents, my mentor, and long consideration and prayer I’ve decided to enter my name in the NBA draft while maintaining my college eligibility,” he wrote in a statement posted to social media.
“I’m not sure what my future holds beyond today, but I do know I have to take this next step to officially go through the process to test the waters and receive feedback. I pray you will all understand this is not a decision I’ve taken lightly.”
— Shaedon Sharpe (@ShaedonSharpe) April 21, 2022
Sharpe, who attended Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Ariz., was the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 by ESPN, Rivals and 247 Sports until he reclassified to the Class of 2021.
Because he turns 19 on May 30 and will be one NBA season removed from his high school graduation, he is eligible for the June 23 draft.
The news comes one day after consensus national Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe announced that he is returning to Kentucky for the 2022-23 season.
–Field Level Media
