NBA Draft Rumors: John Calipari Left Out Of Loop In Harrison Twins Decision?

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari
Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari Kevin Jairaj USA TODAY Sports

If anyone knows what Aaron and Andrew Harrison’s plans are, they might want to let their coach John Calipari know.

The Kentucky coach insists he has no idea what his prized freshman backcourt plans to do, enter the NBA draft or return for their sophomore seasons in the wake of the Wildcats dominant run all the way to the NCAA title game earlier this month.

I have no idea,” Calipari told Fansided.com. “They have ‘til the 27th to make a decision. I don’t even know what the NCAA date is because we don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with us. The only date they have to be concerned about is the 27th, when they have to put their name in or they don’t put their name in.”

Fellow freshman star Julius Randle has also yet to officially declare for the draft, but at least that seems just a formality as the 6-9, 250 pounder is almost assured of being a lottery pick. James Young, another freshman starter, announced this week he will be leaving for the pros, while oft-injured sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein let it be known he plans to return to Lexington.

As for the Harrison twins, ESPN hoops analyst Chad Ford recently tweeted “Harrison twins were strongly leaning toward draft. Now they are considering returning to UK after NBA feedback. Should decide on Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Most mock drafts have the 19-year-old twins going anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second round, with Andrew Harrison considered a slightly better prospect.

Andrew Harrison averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game this season while Aaron Harrison added 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

During the NCAA tournament, Aaron Harrison also displayed he has the clutch gene, not to mention a flair for the dramatic, swishing late go-ahead three-pointers against Louisville, Michigan and Wisconsin

Wildcats freshman and sophomore forwards Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress are also rumored to be considering making themselves eligible for the June 26 draft.

 

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Glenn Minnis
Glenn Minnis is an XN Sports NBA contributor. He has written for the Chicago Tribune, ESPN, BET and AOL. Follow him on Twitter at @glennnyc.