One of the biggest questions following Nerlens Noel’s season-ending ACL tear earlier this week has been whether or not there’s any chance the Kentucky freshman could return to school for another year. His older brother says it’s not likely.
Brother of Nerlens Noel says Kentucky star likely headed to NBA
The brother of Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel, whose season came to an end earlier this week due to an ACL tear, says the top NBA Draft prospect has likely played his last college game.
Andy Lyons
“I’d be surprised if he comes back,” Rodman Noel told CBS Sports. “Right now, people still say he’ll be a top-five pick. It would only be smart to take it while you can.”
Nerlens Noel will likely end his college career with 106 blocks in 24 games, a stunning average of 4.41 blocks per game. For comparison’s sake, Florida big man Patric Young is in his third season with the Gators and has 103 career blocks. Noel’s offensive production had also increased dramatically during UK’s recent run of success. He entered Tuesday night’s game against the Gators with a streak of three straight double-doubles, and was averaging 10.5 ppg to go with his team-best 9.5 rpg.
Rodman, who is a starting linebacker at NC State, says that although his brother is devastated by the injury, he’s mentally prepared for the grind that will be his rehab.
“He’ll have the right mindset going into the surgery and the rehab,” Rodman told CBS. “He can handle it. What devastated him more than anything else was not being able to finish out the season. Especially being his first year of college. He really wanted to play in the NCAA Tournament.”
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