‘My journey will be inspiring.’ Kahlil Whitney declares for NBA Draft.
Former University of Kentucky player Kahlil Whitney will forego his remaining college eligibility.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony first reported Friday that Whitney, who left UK during the spring semester, declared for the NBA Draft and hired an agent.
“I truly believe in my development and grind,” Whitney told ESPN. “I want to thank my coaches, fans, trainers and family for ongoing support. My journey will be inspiring to kids and athletes all over the globe.”
The 6-foot-7 freshman joined sophomore Ashton Hagans and freshman Tyrese Maxey, two other UK players choosing to sign with agents, in pursuit of an NBA career instead of leaving open the option to return to school.
“A lot of factors went into it,” Mike Irvin, Whitney’s AAU coach, said of the decision. “When he met with his family, it was time. You know, it was time to just try it at the next level. …
“He’s feeling good. His body is in the best shape he’s ever been in. He’s gotten more leaner since the season. He’s been shooting, man, so many jump shots a day. Practicing with an NBA ball. So, he’s ready.”
Whitney withdrew from UK in January after averaging about 13 minutes over the course of 18 games, in which he started eight times. He averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while shooting 37.1 percent from the floor.
He announced his transfer on Jan. 24, one day prior to UK’s trip to Lubbock, Texas, for a game against Texas Tech. John Calipari later described Whitney’s exit from the team as a tearful one.
“I just said, ‘You make it,’” Calipari said in January. “‘Make it. If you’re going to do this, you make it.’ And I said, ‘I’ll do anything I can to help you.’”
As of Friday, Whitney ranks 80th overall in ESPN’s top-100 player list heading into the 2020 draft. Givony wrote that he is expected to garner second-round interest from teams, though.
“These past few months, I’ve been really focused on my individual development and refining many of my skills: tightening up my shot mechanics, ball handling, pick and roll reads, passing, and understanding NBA terminology,” Whitney told ESPN. “I really want to show that I can do everything, that I’m an extremely hard worker and I embrace the grind.”
Whitney could have more time to improve his stock. ESPN reported earlier on Friday that NBA teams are encouraging the league to move its scheduled draft date from June 25 to “no sooner than Aug. 1” because of limitations on information-gathering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. NBA commissioner Adam Silver previously has said no changes will be made to the league calendar before May 1.
Irvin still strongly believes in his former player’s skills and said Whitney should be a top-20 draft pick.
“It only takes one team,” Irvin said. “It was like Cal came to recruit him for Kentucky. Kentucky thought he was one of the best players in the country. That’s why they recruited him. So, Cal felt that way before he got there. So, maybe somebody else will feel that way. …
“You’ve got to look at the body of work he’s done. Last year, he was one of the best players in the country. That hasn’t changed. That definitely hasn’t changed.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 5:49 PM.
