Immanuel Quickley says “not sure yet” on NBA decision

With the COVID-19 outbreak forcing the SEC to close their athletic facilities until at least April 15th, we are likely a few weeks away from NBA Draft decisions.

John Calipari and staff aren’t allowed to have in-person contact with an individual player or the team during this period.

The NBA’s decision to suspend the season changes everything when it comes to workouts and the NBA Draft Combine. That will likely delay draft decisions to a later date than we are accustomed to.

When everything settles down, and hopefully it does soon, Kentucky will have their annual exodus of players. That said, fans can expect a few players to return.

I confidently expect Keion Brooks and Johnny Juzang to return next season, along with a healthy Dontaie Allen. After those three, it’s difficult to project when it comes to returning scholarship players.

Tyrese Maxey is the only projected lottery pick on the roster, so I’d expect him to declare when the time comes. With his production and improvement as a junior, Nick Richards is likely to declare as well and no one around the program expects Ashton Hagans to play a junior season in Lexington.

That leaves E.J. Montgomery and Immanuel Quickley. According to Kyle Tucker of The Athletic, a source close to the program believes Montgomery took notice of the improvement Richards made this season and believes he could do the same with another season in Lexington.

As for Quickley, that same source thinks it will be a coin flip decision, given he could return next year and show scouts he can run the point guard position.

In a question and answer on Instagram Saturday, Quickley was asked if he is making the jump to professional basketball. The sophomore guard replied, “not sure yet.” No surprise there, given players haven’t had the opportunity to digest the season ending abruptly.

Quickley did say junior Quickley would be scary.

So you’re telling me there’s a chance…. pic.twitter.com/WqORlh5xam

— Things #BBN Likes (@ThingsBBNLikes) March 15, 2020

Kentucky currently has six players in their 2020 signing class – BJ Boston, Terrence Clarke, Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware and Cam’Ron Fletcher. Maybe, just maybe, Kentucky can get at least one more to join Allen, Brooks and Juzang, the three most likely to return. Calipari could add a graduate transfer, especially if he is unable to add another incoming freshman to the 2020 class.

Current players eligible for the NBA Draft are in a different situation than players in the past. With the uncertainty around the NBA and no set date to resume play in sports at the moment, will it force some guys to think differently when it comes to making decisions? We will have to let things play out, but at least they have the security of returning to Kentucky if they choose to do so.