Where the Wildcats stand in new ESPN NBA Mock Draft

Isaiah Jackson sent out a little teaser video last week featuring highlights from this past season with Kentucky. It got fans thinking, could he really be coming back? Well the updated ESPN mock draft might be a mood killer for those hopes.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN has released his updated NBA Mock Draft, and it features two former Wildcats being selected in this year’s draft.

Overall, Givony has Isaiah Jackson being selected 11th overall going to the San Antonio Spurs. He also has Brandon Boston being selected 36th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here is what Givony had to say about the Jackson pick:

“The Spurs will likely be in the market for a starting-caliber center to build around long term, and Jackson could very well pique their interest. One of the most explosive players in the draft, Jackson is an elite shot-blocker who dropped strong glimpses of offensive potential, which gives him significant upside.”

Jackson has an interesting decision to make in the coming weeks. It has been noted that his family is looking for a lottery lock to keep his name in the draft, and according to this draft, he would almost certainly be staying in. Currently he has been creeping up draft boards, and once the combine happens in June, it would be a major shock to see Jackson return to Lexington.

For Boston, he would be joining a rebuilding organization that would certainly help him in his development at the next level. It doesn't appear the Thunder will be looking to compete anytime soon, so coming in and having time to round into form sounds like a great situation for the former top-five recruit to enter into.

Currently, Davion Mintz is looking into where he stands with NBA teams as he approaches the draft. As has been the case in every other projection, Mintz was not selected in this mock draft.

Mintz and Jackson will have until July 7th to withdraw their names from the draft.