Marcus Lee out of NBA Draft but will transfer from Kentucky Basketball

Kentucky Wildcats junior forward Marcus Lee will remove his name from the 2016 NBA Draft, but his current plan is to transfer to another program complete his collegiate eligibility.

Upon completing his paperwork to withdraw from the draft, UK has announced that Lee will be granted a full release with no restrictions on where he can go. Lee is coming off his best season as a Wildcat, averaging career-highs in points per game (6.4), rebounds per game (6.0) and total blocks (59).

"Marcus Lee informed us today that he is pulling his name out of the draft but has decided he is going to transfer to a school out west to be closer to his family," head coach John Calipari said. "We talked it through together and discussed the team next season, which he said had no bearing on his decision. I also told him he was a semester away from graduating. With that said, he was still adamant that, after the combine experience, a year off and regrouping would be the best thing. As always I support my players and their decisions."

Lee also shot a team-best 68% from the floor, the best single-season field-goal percentage in UK history with a minimum of 150 attempts. Here is what Lee had to say on his transfer:

"I want to thank the University of Kentucky, the basketball staff and the Big Blue Nation for supporting me over the years," Lee said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come to this decision, but I'm trying to do what's right for me and my family. I'll always think fondly of my time at Kentucky."

It sounds like Lee has to sit out a year wherever he goes, so don't expect to see him playing for another team until the 2017-18 college basketball season. It's a little odd he waited this long just to announce he was transferring after UK missed on Marques Bolden, leaving a bigger chance for playing time and a big role with this team next season.

Alas, farewell to Lee, and good luck on his journey that will continue elsewhere.