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Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk announced Tuesday he is entering the NBA Draft and plans to hire an agent. Monk, 19, led the Wildcats in scoring with 19.8 points per game on 45 percent shooting in 38 games this season and helped guide Kentucky to the Elite Eight.
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"After taking some time with my family and reflecting on this season, I have decided to enter my name into the 2017 NBA draft," Monk said via ESPN.com. "As a little kid, these are words that I could only dream of saying. For that, I am very grateful and thank God.
"I would like to thank (Kentucky coach John Calipari) for helping me evolve my game and become a more complete basketball player. You pushed me all season to be my best and taught me the true meaning of team and sacrifice."
Monk scored the tying basket with 7.2 seconds left against North Carolina in the Elite Eight, only for Tar Heels forward Luke Maye to sink the game-winner on the other end. Monk finished with 12 points in the 75-73 loss.
In four NCAA Tournament games, Monk averaged 14.8 points.
Monk was named the SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press this season and earned First-Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team honors. He was also a consensus second-team All-American.
Monk is ranked as the eighth-best overall prospect in this year's draft class by NBADraft.net.
