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Jarred Vanderbilt made a surprising decision to remain in the NBA Draft, and now we may know why.
According to SEC Country’s Kyle Tucker, Vanderbilt may have gotten a promise from an NBA team to draft him.
Has Jarred Vanderbilt going late second to OKC. Was told by a scout for another team yesterday that common rumor in the league is Vando got someone to promise to draft him and give him time to get healthy. https://t.co/56TlA9wAD8
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_SEC) June 7, 2018
If true, that is great news for Vanderbilt, who may have a chance to get drafted, get paid and get healthy over the next year. He has a world of potential, but it is going to be a long road getting there after his injury-plagued freshman year at UK.
Vanderbilt had a shortened season that saw him play in just 14, averaging six points per game while leading the team in rebounds with nearly eight per game, despite only averaging 17 minutes per game. Per 40 minutes, that projects to 18.5 rebounds per game, making him arguably the best rebounder in college hoops.
Vanderbilt will have to spend the summer rehabbing an ankle/foot injury that kept him out of the last few regular season games, as well as SEC and NCAA Tournament. He skipped the NBA Draft Combine due to not being healthy enough to participate. He has also been unable to work out for teams while recovering, but he is still able to meet with them for interviews and medical testing.
The draft is in two weeks, and it now appears there’s a good chance Vanderbilt hears his name called somewhere in Round 2.
Let’s just hope this all works out in the end for Vanderbilt and he has a productive pro career.