Colorado's KJ Simpson declares for 2024 NBA Draft

Buffs down another man in next year's rotation after losing one of their best contributors

Mar 24, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) shoots against the / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado guard KJ Simpson declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, per an announcement Friday via social media. He thanked Buffs Nation and said he has always been a dream to play in the league.

Thank you Buff Nation 🙏🏽🖤 pic.twitter.com/VR2j77FHkT

— KJ Simpson (@KSimpsonJr) April 12, 2024

The 6-foot-2 Los Angeles native led the Buffs in scoring with 19.7 points per game and 4.9 assists. Both stats were in the top 60 nationally, which put Simpson in the conversation as one of the Pac-12's best ball handlers. He's currently projected as a mid-second round pick, according to most mock drafts.

March Madness: Boise State left in "shock and silence" after drawing Colorado in First Four

Simpson helped his cause with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 20.7 points, seven rebounds, and 5.3 assists in three games. He had a game-winning jumper to upset 7th-seeded Florida, clinching back-to-back tourney wins for the first time since 1955. The Buffs standout scored at least 20 points in twenty-two games and was held to single-digits twice this season.

Colorado will likely have three players drafted this year. Cody Williams, who hasn't declared for the draft is still slated as a consensus top ten pick. The former McDonald's All-American isn't expected to return to Boulder after an injury-ridden freshman year. Tristan da Silva is projected at a mid-first round pick. The Buffs big man showed flashes of next-level talent throughout the season.