Kentucky forward PJ Washington has withdrew from the 2018 NBA draft and will return to school for his sophomore year.
Washington announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon after declaring for the draft back on April 3.
The 6-7 forward averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per game during the 2017-18 season.
— Paul Washington Jr (@PJWashington) May 30, 2018
He shot 51.9 percent from the floor and hit double figures in scoring in 23 games, including 11 of the team’s final 12 games.
Washington’s return gives John Calipari a big boost after the team already lost three double-digit scorers in Kevin Knox (15.6 ppg), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (14.4 ppg), and Hamidou Diallo (10.0 egg) as early draft entrants.
Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt have yet to announce their plans for the future, with both players having to make their decisions by midnight.
Regardless of what Gabriel and Vanderbilt decide, Calipari will boast a strong nucleus that will feature the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class thanks to the addition of 5-star prospects EJ Montgomery, Keldon Johnson, and Immanuel Quickly, as well as 4-star shooting guard Tyler Herro.
The Wildcats finished 26-11 overall this past season and advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing to Kansas State.
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