Kentucky’s Marcus Lee likely to stay in NBA draft pool

Kentucky's Marcus Lee started the NBA Draft process torn on his stay-or-go decision. But he said Thursday that clarity will soon arrive.

CHICAGO -- Kentucky's Marcus Lee started the NBA Draft process torn on his stay-or-go decision. But he said Thursday that clarity will soon arrive. 

Lee likely will decide to stay in the draft pool and forgo his final year at Kentucky, he said at the NBA Draft Combine.

"I'm a solid 85%, 87% (to leave school) right now," Lee said. "I still have a couple things to do."

The junior’s intentions were confirmed by his coach, John Calipari, who told media members Wednesday that his gut feeling was Lee would leave the Wildcats for the NBA.

“Marcus really wants to do this,” Calipari said. “My guess is he’ll keep his name in the draft, because this is what he wants to do. I just told him to go up there and do your thing and show the athletic player that you are.”

Lee is competing at the combine after originally being named as an alternate for the event. A 6’9” forward, he averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 blocks and 1.6 blocks in 21.8 minutes this season.