Kentucky's Isaiah Briscoe not likely a 1st-round pick, but heading for NBA Draft
Briscoe came back to Kentucky for his sophomore season, but won't be back this time
Kentucky sophomore Isaiah Briscoe became the fourth Kentucky player in four days to declare for the NBA Draft on Thursday, also announcing that he intends to sign an agent.
“BBN, thank you to the greatest fans in the entire world,” Briscoe said in a statement. “Thank you to Coach Cal, Coach KP (Kenny Payne), Coach Tony (Barbee), Coach JJ (Joel Justus), Coach Robes (John Robic), and (strength and conditioning coach) Rob (Harris). You helped me develop my game on the court and helped me grow as a man off the court.
“Thank you to my brothers. We’ve been through so much together and accomplished even more. Thank you to my family and friends. Without your support, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
“It was a dream to play in front of BBN and an honor to wear K-E-N-T-U-C-K-Y across my chest. I’m ready for the next step and can’t wait to begin the next journey.”
.@ZayBriscoe is declaring for the NBA Draft and plans to hire an agent, ending a great two-year career at UK.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 6, 2017
👉 https://t.co/JDBzc3epah pic.twitter.com/7SSibBEITK
Briscoe is not only the fourth Kentucky underclassmen to declare for the draft, he’s the third that intends to sign with an agent -- a move that would effectively end his college career and close the door on a potential return. He joins fellow teammates Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo among the Wildcats who have declared for the draft. Monk and Fox intend to sign with agents, however Adebayo has left the door open for a return and can withdraw his name 10 days after the NBA combine as long as he does not hire an agent.
Averaging more than 30 minutes per game in the 2016-17 season, Briscoe was an integral piece of Kentucky’s success. He averaged 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game -- all three categories that saw improvement from his freshman campaign, despite playing fewer minutes.
“Isaiah is a winner,” John Calipari said. “Physically and mentally he’s a pit bull with skills with the ball. We averaged nearly 30 wins a season over the last two years and Isaiah played a big part in all of them. Isaiah defends, he rebounds and he creates shots for others. I am so proud of his improvement over his time here and am looking forward to seeing his continued growth at the next level.”
Briscoe entered the draft last season but withdrew his name to return for a sophomore campaign. Despite a solid season, he’s not likely to be picked up in the first round. CBS Sports NBA Draft experts Howard Megdal and Gary Parrish don’t have him in their first round mock drafts, and he could be a second round steal for a team looking to add a young prospect who has been productive in his two seasons at Kentucky.
















