So Jamal Murray is off to the NBA. No shock there. The only surprising thing surrounding that piece of news is the fact that Kentucky made such a big deal about the announcement, shrouding it in secrecy until it happened Friday. I think we all knew the score with Murray.

But maybe not so much with UK center Skal Labissiere.

The freshman from Haiti was not the out-of-the-gate defensive OR offensive powerhouse that he was projected to be, often spending a lot of time riding the pine during Kentucky games this season.

His talent made more frequent and efficient appearances toward the end of the season, yes, but he was never on the level of, say, Karl-Anthony Towns or Anthony Davis--Kentucky big men who were effective and aggressive superstars from the get-go.

And not only is Labissiere declaring for the the NBA draft, he's hiring an agent. So he's not even waiting around for an evaluation by scouts and coaches during the combine.

He's going regardless.

I've actually heard analysts say that he could go based on the NBA's tendency to draft on potential.

And, sure it's there, but Skal's talent still seems so raw to me.

I've seen guys who were much more ready to pull the trigger who have become total busts at the pro level.

I wish him well and I hope, for his sake, he's making the right decision.

 

 

 

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