2018 NBA mock draft: Where are Kentucky players projected?

Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 22) of the Kentucky Wildcats react to a foul call in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Tournament South Regional on March 22, 2018, in Atlanta.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Joe Mussatto
Joe Mussatto

NBA decisions have been rolling in during the past week for Kentucky players, with more sure to follow in the coming days. Underclassmen have until April 22 to declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Forward Kevin Knox and point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander declared for the draft and will sign with an agent, thus ending their college careers. Forward PJ Washington was the first to declare for the draft, but will not hire an agent, leaving the door open to return for his sophomore season.

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Others such as shooting guard Hamidou Diallo and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt have yet to make a decision.

Here’s the latest on where Kentucky players project in the 2018 NBA Draft:

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 6-foot-6, 180 (Fr.) 

“Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the quickest studies in college basketball this year and ended his season looking like a confident, more-realized version of the tentative-but-gifted player we saw in the fall,” wrote Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated. “He has an unorthodox but effective off-the-dribble game, blending hesitations and dribble fakes to create space for himself to attack. His jumper is passable but not quite consistent yet. He’s unselfish and has made his teammates better, and while not a physical specimen, Gilgeous-Alexander has a good understanding of on-court angles as he probes defenses.”

SF/PF Kevin Knox: 6-foot-9, 215 pounds (Fr.) 

“Knox didn’t have an efficient freshman season, partially due to his playing out of position, but there’s a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility,” wrote Jonathan Givony of ESPN. “He’s one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.”

SG Hamidou Diallo: 6-5, 198 pounds (R-Fr.) 

“If he falls into a draft range where there’s little to no risk, Diallo’s talent is worth a dice roll,” Woo wrote. “Best-case scenario, he becomes an above-average defender and hits enough threes to keep himself on the floor as a high-energy utility guy. He’s yet to announce his draft decision.”

PF PJ Washington: 6-7, 236 pounds (Fr.)

SF Jarred Vanderbilt: 6-9, 214 pounds (Fr.) 

NEXT Kentucky basketball: Will Wenyen Gabriel and other Cats expected back bolt instead?
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