Kentucky forward James Young to declare for NBA draft

James Young averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. (Jamie Squire/Getty) Kentucky freshman forward James Young will declare for the

James Young averaged 14.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Wildcats. (Jamie Squire/Getty)

Kentucky freshman forward James Young will declare for the NBA draft, the school announced Thursday.

Young will join teammate Julius Randle in the draft. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward hybrid averaged 14.3 points per game this season, second on the team after Randle. Young led the Wildcats with 82 three-pointers, shooting 34.9% from behind the arc. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team.

His play in the Final Four, when he averaged 18.5 points and 6.0 rebounds, likely boosted his draft stock.

MANNIX: Big Board 5.0

SI.com's Chris Mannix ranks Young 14th overall on his latest big board. From Mannix's scouting report:

"Young is erratic, and his defense is weaker than that of [Gary] Harris, one of his primary rivals on the two-guard depth chart. But when he's on -- like he was in a 13-point, eight-rebound performance against Wichita State -- he's dangerous. Young has tinkered with his shooting technique through the season, and though it isn't flawless, it's improved. With solid size, Young has the potential to become a solid starter."