After one season at the University of Kentucky, Tyrese Maxey is headed to the next level.
The 19-year-old took to Twitter on Monday to announce his intentions to declare for the 2020 NBA Draft,
THE GREATEST TRADITION... THANK YOU #BBN FOR EMBRACING ME... FOREVER A WILDCAT!!! pic.twitter.com/UCGsGE9X4c
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) April 6, 2020
"It's time for my next challenge…" Maxey wrote. "My dream has always been to play in the NBA and I know I'm prepared for this because I'm Wildcat made."
In his lone season at Kentucky, the 6-foot-3 guard rose to the challenge on numerous occasions, opening his college career with 26 points off the bench in a win over perennial powerhouse Michigan State at Madison Square Garden. He would move to a starting role four games into the season and never looked back, scoring a career-high 27 points in an overtime win over the Wildcats' biggest rival, the Louisville Cardinals.
He finished the season averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists through 31 games, earning an All-SEC Second Team selection as well as All-SEC Freshman Team honours.
His Hall of Fame head coach, John Calipari, who knows a thing or two about preparing players for the next level, sent a series of Tweets in support of Maxey's decision.
"[Maxey] is going to do great in that league because there’s nothing he can’t do."
"He can handle the ball, he can shoot, he’s got great athleticism and he really defended as the season went on." Calipari continued, "In a lot of ways, he reminds me of what [Jamal Murray] was able to do and we know how well he’s done in the NBA. I’m so happy for Tyrese and his family."
Maxey is widely thought to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft.
The 2020 NBA Draft is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 25, 2020.
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