NCAA News Wire
F Lee to stay at Kentucky
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
One of the members of Kentucky’s ballyhooed freshman class from this past season is returning for his sophomore year.
The school announced Friday that forward Marcus Lee will stay in school and pass on the 2014 NBA Draft.
“I’ve really enjoyed my college experience and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop as an all-around player,” Lee said. “Playing in the Final Four was such an amazing feeling, but I want to come back and help win that final game this year.”
The 6-foot-9 Lee had an up-and-down first season, playing in 25 of 40 games and averaging 6.3 minutes. But he finished strong in the NCAA Tournament. He had 10 points and eight rebounds in the Midwest Regional final victory over Michigan and ended up making the all-tournament team.
“I’m excited for Marcus and think he’s barely scratched the surface of what he’s capable of,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “In addition to his athleticism and the energy level he brings, the experience he gained in the NCAA Tournament this year will be immeasurable for us next season.”
Center Willie Cauley-Stein earlier announced that he will return to Kentucky next season. The Wildcats are still awaiting the decisions of freshman guards Aaron and Andrew Harrison, freshman center Dakari Johnson and sophomore forward Alex Poythress.
According to draft experts, the athletic Lee likely would have been a second-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
