Kentucky sends record seven players off to NBA draft

Fri., April 10, 2015

Gary B. Graves Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A record seven players are leaving a mighty Kentucky team after a season that fell two wins short of a championship. They can look forward to a possible reunion in a couple of months at the NBA draft.

The soon-to-be-former Wildcats gathered at their practice gym and said they will turn pro: 7-footers Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson; twin guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison; freshman forwards Karl-Anthony Towns and Trey Lyles; and freshman backup guard Devin Booker.

The exodus, which featured Kentucky’s top seven scorers, could have been greater.

“If Alex Poythress doesn’t get hurt, it would’ve been eight,” coach John Calipari said, referring to the junior forward who sustained a season-ending torn knee ligament in December.

Such exits have become the norm in Lexington, a one-and-done environment where players and the program thrive despite single-season stays. Calipari has developed 19 NBA draft picks, including 15 first-round selections.

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Kentucky sends record seven players off to NBA draft

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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