:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54111141/usa_today_9957795.0.jpg)
As expected, Isaiah Briscoe is entering the NBA Draft and will sign with an agent. He announced the news Thursday on Twitter:
Thank you Kentucky for an amazing 2 years..With that being said I've decided to enter the 2017 NBA Draft and will be signing with an agent. pic.twitter.com/8gDAsbofIH
— Slim Bz (@ZayBriscoe) April 6, 2017
Briscoe, who just finished his sophomore season, is the fourth Wildcat to declare for the draft, joining Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. Like Monk and Fox, Briscoe is signing with an agent, which ends his college eligibility.
“BBN, thank you to the greatest fans in the entire world,” Briscoe said via press release. “Thank you to Coach Cal, Coach KP (Kenny Payne), Coach Tony (Barbee), Coach JJ (Joel Justus), Coach Robes (John Robic), and (strength and conditioning coach) Rob (Harris). You helped me develop my game on the court and helped me grow as a man off the court.
“Thank you to my brothers. We've been through so much together and accomplished even more. Thank you to my family and friends. Without your support, I wouldn't be where I am now.
The New Jersey native averaged 10.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists during his two-year college career. While it would seem odd a guy projected to go undrafted is so intent on leaving, it's not a surprise with Briscoe. He came to Kentucky last year intent on being a one-and-done player, but a so-so freshman season led to him coming back for a sophomore season in hopes of boosting his stock.
But regardless of what happened, Briscoe was set on leaving after this season and beginning his professional career, even if it wasn't in the NBA. He just wants to focus on basketball and not worry about college life, and he'll get that now.
“Isaiah is a winner,” head coach John Calipari said. “Physically and mentally he’s a pit bull with skills with the ball. We averaged nearly 30 wins a season over the last two years and Isaiah played a big part in all of them. Isaiah defends, he rebounds and he creates shots for others. I am so proud of his improvement over his time here and am looking forward to seeing his continued growth at the next level.”
Most projections still have Briscoe going undrafted with an outside shot he's taken in the end of the second round. At that point, Briscoe is better off going undrafted so he can pick the NBA team he feels offers him his best shot at making the final roster.
Briscoe is all but guaranteed to at least get a training camp invite with multiple teams, and it’s possible someone signs him to a deal that gives him.