WILDCATS

Kentucky's Julius Randle hasn't decided on NBA draft

Kyle Tucker
LCJ

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Despite an ESPN report that University of Kentucky freshman Julius Randle will enter the NBA draft — which seems inevitable as he is a projected top-five pick — Randle and his mother, Carolyn Kyles, say that is still yet to be determined.

In a text message Wednesday afternoon, Kyles wrote that she and Randle would meet with his mentor, former Oklahoma star Jeff Webster, this weekend and "decide the next path he will take." She added: "As of today we're not sure."

After the ESPN report, citing multiple anonymous sources, Kyles texted to say their plan to decide this weekend has not changed and her son was crafting a tweet to "clear this up." Moments later, Randle tweeted: "I haven't made up my mind about the draft yet. Haven't even talked to my family about it. So it's all false."

Randle led the nation this season with 24 double-doubles and averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds, leading the Wildcats to Monday night's national championship game, where they lost to Connecticut. He and at least six other teammates are weighing the decision to stay in school or leave for the draft, which will be held June 26 in New York.