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.
Terrence Jones Will Return To Kentucky, Withdraws From 2011 NBA Draft
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.
Jones’ return might also hurt him despite being a boon for Kentucky. The Wildcats bring in a fantastic recruiting class that includes Marquis Teague and Michael Gilchrist, and while Jones will be playing with NBA-caliber talent, Gilchrist is reputedly good enough to steal some of the sophomore-to-be’s minutes.
Kentucky fans will be happy that their team now looks like one of the nation’s two best entering next season. (North Carolina is also stacked.) But they should wonder if Jones’ return will be at his own expense.
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