Like Kentucky teammates PJ Washington and Tyler Herro, freshman guard Keldon Johnson has decided that he’ll keep his name in the 2019 NBA draft pool rather than leaving the door open to return to the Wildcats, the school announced in a press release.
Johnson’s decision to forgo his remaining NCAA eligibility doesn’t come as a real surprise. Like Washington and Herro, Johnson is projected to be a first-round pick, coming in as the No. 20 prospect on Jonathan Givony’s big board at ESPN.com.
Speaking of that big board, another prospect in that top 100 has declared for the 2019 NBA draft, according to Givony, who reports that Brazilian wing Marcos Lousada Silva has submitted the necessary paperwork.
Silva, the 61st overall prospect on ESPN’s board, impressed scouts and executives at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, and has had a productive season in the Brazilian league. NBA scouts have taken notice of the youngster’s high energy level and defensive versatility, Givony adds.
The following prospects are also testing the 2019 NBA draft waters as early entrants, joining the ever-growing list:
- Vrenz Bleijenbergh, F, Belgium (born 2000) (link via Emiliano Carchia of Sportando)
- Kellan Grady, G, Davidson (sophomore) (link via David Scott of The Charlotte Observer)
- A.J. Lawson, G, South Carolina (freshman) (Twitter link via Lawson)
- Jeremiah Tilmon, F, Missouri (junior) (press release via school)
- Obi Toppin, F, Dayton (freshman) (Twitter link via Jon Rothstein of Sports Illustrated)