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Marcus Lee withdraws from draft, will transfer from Kentucky

Dennis Wierzbicki / USA TODAY Sports

In a shocking development, Kentucky forward Marcus Lee has withdrawn from the 2016 NBA Draft, and will be leaving the Wildcats to pursue a transfer, the school announced Wednesday.

“Marcus Lee informed us today that he is pulling his name out of the draft but has decided he is going to transfer to a school out west to be closer to his family,” head coach John Calipari said. “We talked it through together and discussed the team next season, which he said had no bearing on his decision. I also told him he was a semester away from graduating. With that said, he was still adamant that, after the combine experience, a year off and regrouping would be the best thing. As always I support my players and their decisions.”

With Lee just a semester short of graduating, he would have to sit out a year upon moving to his new school per NCAA transfer rules, unless he is able to complete his degree before then. If not, he would redshirt next year and have one year of eligibility remaining.

“I want to thank the University of Kentucky, the basketball staff and the Big Blue Nation for supporting me over the years,” Lee said. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come to this decision, but I’m trying to do what’s right for me and my family. I’ll always think fondly of my time at Kentucky.”

Kentucky granted Lee a full release with no restrictions, allowing him to transfer to the destination of his choice. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 6.4 points and six rebounds as a junior last season.

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