Kentucky’s Marcus Lee withdraws from NBA draft, will transfer

Marcus Lee led Kentucky shooting 68.0% from the floor.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

Kentucky junior forward Marcus Lee has removed his name from consideration in the 2016 NBA draft but plans to transfer, the university announced.

“Marcus Lee informed us today that he is pulling his name out of the draft but has decided he is going to transfer to a school out West to be closer to his family,” head coach John Calipari said in a statement. “We talked it through together and discussed the team next season, which he said had no bearing on his decision. I also told him he was a semester away from graduating. With that said, he was still adamant that, after the combine experience, a year off and regrouping would be the best thing. As always I support my players and their decisions.”

Lee averaged 6.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. He led the team shooting 68.0% from the floor.

“I want to thank the University of Kentucky, the basketball staff and the Big Blue Nation for supporting me over the years,” Lee said in a statement. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come to this decision, but I’m trying to do what’s right for me and my family. I’ll always think fondly of my time at Kentucky.”

• HAMILTON: Coaches wait for NBA decisions

Kentucky will grant him his full release but he will still have to sit out a season before being eligible for the 2017–18 season.

Earlier in the week, Isaiah Briscoe announced that he plans to return for his sophomore season.