UK’s Marcus Lee taking opportunity to ‘test the waters’ for NBA Draft

Kentucky forward Marcus Lee is exploring the option of entering this year’s NBA Draft, his brother said Tuesday.

Bryan Lee said Coach John Calipari’s open invitation for any and all UK players to “test the waters” helped convince his brother make that decision.

“He does want to make that jump,” Bryan Lee said. “That’s his focus and his goal. If not, he’ll be back for his senior season.”

The NCAA’s new liberalized rules also influenced Lee’s decision, his brother said. The new rules allow players to work out for a team and participate in the by-invitation-only NBA Combine in mid-May in Chicago.

Players now have until May 25 to withdraw from NBA Draft consideration and retain college eligibility.

“You’re going to get a lot of kids to test the waters,” Bryan Lee said.

Repeated foul trouble created “a bit of frustration” for his brother last season, Bryan Lee said. Lee was whistled for 109 fouls, the second-most on Kentucky’s team (Alex Poythress had 112).

Lee also led UK by fouling out eight times.

He averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 21.8 minutes.

Lee’s brother saw no downside in the UK-or-NBA decision.

“I don’t think there’s any bad option,” he said. “We’re excited about the progress he’s made.”

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "UK’s Marcus Lee taking opportunity to ‘test the waters’ for NBA Draft."