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Davion Mintz is entering the 2021 NBA Draft, the school announced Monday. For now, Mintz is testing the waters and could return for one final season in Lexington.
“I have not come to a decision yet of what I will ultimately do.” Mintz announced.
Mintz, who was a fifth-year senior this past season, came to Kentucky with minimal expectations. He was a transfer from Creighton who sat out last season. He was looked at as a backup point guard that could potentially provide some veteran leadership to the young guys. But within a month of the beginning of the season, it became clear that he was the most stable and productive player on the team.
By the time the season ended, Mintz ended up being Kentucky’s leading scorer, putting up up 288 total points compared to BJ Boston’s 287. He also led the team in assists with 3.1 per game and shot nearly 38% from behind the three-point line.
For the most part, Mintz surpassed all expectations that anyone had for him coming into the year. He does have the option to come back and play another season due to the extra year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19.
Kentucky currently has no point guard after Nolan Hickman decommitted and Devin Askew transferred out of the program. Kentucky is now thoroughly gauging transfer options while recruiting four-star point guard TyTy Washington to fill out the backcourt, so there are options to replace Mintz if he leaves.
Given the flexibility with the NBA’s draft process, Mintz has the ability to enter the draft for evaluation processes and then make a decision about whether he wants to declare for the NBA Draft or return to college for another season. It is hard to blame any player for “testing the waters,” and you have to think Mintz will take the process seriously and make a decision that is best for him and his family.
Stay tuned to A Sea of Blue for all the updates on Kentucky’s fluctuating basketball roster.
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