Will EJ Montgomery return to Kentucky or leave for the pros?

It’s that time of year again. We wait for the stay or go decisions of multiple 18-22 year old kids. This is an annual routine for the Kentucky Wildcats.

This time, it’s sophomore forward EJ Montgomery.

The 6-10, 230-pound power forward had a solid but unspectacular sophomore campaign. He showed flashes and we saw strides made throughout the season, but he still hasn’t put it all together.

As a recruit, EJ was ranked as high as No. 6 in the class of 2018 by 247Sports. He originally committed to play for Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers on September 22, 2016.

However, as the FBI investigation into college hoops ramped up, Montgomery chose to decommit from the Tigers—after being committed for over a year—on September 27, 2018.

After that, it was a battle between the Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels, and UK. While Duke seemed like the heavy favorite, John Calipari won out in the end.

As a freshman, Montgomery didn’t get a lot of run as he was behind a sophomore PJ Washington and grad transfer Reid Travis. He averaged 3.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 57 percent from the stripe.

He subsequently declared for the NBA Draft. Nobody was sure whether he’d return or go, as it seemed he just didn’t want to be in college any longer. However, on the last day to withdraw, Montgomery announced his intention to return to Lexington for a sophomore season.

During his sophomore campaign, Montgomery began the season injured, but after that, he started nearly every game he played in. He improved in nearly ever category and became what might be considered an elite defender.

All in all, EJ averaged 6.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 52 percent from the field and 67 percent from the line. He had a 25-points, nine-rebound, performance against the UAB Blazer in November, and had the game-winning tip-in to defeat the Florida Gators in the last game of the season.

After watching Nick Richards dominate in his junior season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Montgomery would return and do the same.

Since the end of the season, though, Montgomery has entered his name in the Draft again and his father has done multiple interviews saying that a third season might no be necessary. There’s also been tons of different information and rumors circulating about his decision.

Right now, it truly looks like it could go either way. We all know what he probably should do, but there’s no guarantee. Some kids just don’t want to be in school, and they want to make money. Some have outside forces pulling them every which way.

With all that being said, what do you think EJ will do: stay or go?