Terrence Jones Coming Back To Kentucky, Brandon Knight, DeAndre Liggins Will Stay In NBA Draft

One day after Kentucky forward Terrence Jones announced he will return to Kentucky for another year, DeAndre Liggins went the opposite direction, opting to forgo his college eligibility and stay in the 2011 NBA Draft. Early entrants have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern to pull their names out of the draft, else lose their eligibility. Liggins, a junior, felt staying in the draft was his best option, though it’s unlikely he will be picked in the first round.

Liggins was known more for his defense at Kentucky, but head coach John Calipari praised the guard as he tested the waters during the draft process. He likened Liggins to Tony Allen, saying he could transform a team and provide versatility wherever he goes.

Despite one of the weakest classes in recent NBA Draft history, Kentucky’s Terrence Jones will be returning to Lexington for the 2011-2012 season.

For Jones, the decision seems like a puzzling one. After teaming with Brandon Knight to lead the Wildcats to the Final Four as a freshman, Jones’ stock as an NBA prospect was about as high as it might get, and with a weak draft class, Jones looked like a lottery selection at worst. Choosing to return might cost him millions if the potentially loaded 2012 NBA Draft class slots him further down in the first round.

Kentucky guard Brandon Knight, expected to be a top-10 pick, will remain in the 2011 NBA Draft. Knight announced his decision early Friday, ahead of the NCAA’s Sunday deadline to withdraw and maintain collegiate eligibility. Knight’s college teammate Terrence Jones, a fellow freshman who is slotted to go anywhere from the top-10 to the mid-first round, will announce his decision on Saturday, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.

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UK coach John Calipari on the three departing Cats:

Knight and Jones are likely lottery picks -- with Jones going No. 4 and Knight No. 12 in SB Nation’s latest 2011 NBA mock draft -- but Liggins isn’t exactly a sure first-rounder.

But speaking of Knight, he also says his mind is made up. He’s just not ready to tell anybody whether he’s staying or going. According to Jerry Tipton, Knight’s mother Tonya Knight says the freshman’s made his choice, but isn’t going to reveal the news yet.

A Kentucky spokesman said the school plans to hold a press conference or issue a news release once Knight is ready to go public. This is probably not a good sign for Cats fans -- who would delay the appeasement of Big Blue Nation?

Coach John Calipari thinks they should strongly consider going pro, which would free up some roster space for him to bring in the 2013-14 lottery class. Crop rotation, y’all. Cal also has said he’s talked to about a dozen NBA general managers while trying to figure out his players’ draft standing.

Knight and Jones are both lottery picks if they opt to go. They might even be able to match last year’s John Wall-DeMarcus Cousins showing by both entering the top five.