Cincinnati’s Sean Kilpatrick Puts Off NBA Draft to Return For Senior Season
By Coop Ledford
Mar 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Wells Fargo Center. Creighton defeated Cincinnati 67-63. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Today the Cincinnati Bearcats held their annual basketball banquet and it became extra special when the star of UC Basketball, Sean Kilpatrick, announced that he would not enter his name in the NBA Draft, and stay in school to return for his senior year.
“The reason I want to stay is that I want to be the first in my family to graduate and get my degree. I don’t sit here and worry about the NBA because it’s always going to be there. The only thing that’s been my focus and coach’s focus as well is graduating.” said Kilpatrick after his announcement.
Kilpatrick said he made the decision with his parent’s help on Tuesday night.
Numerous NBA Draft Websites said Kilpatrick at best would be drafted in the second round, but there is no guarantee he’d be drafted at all.
Head Coach, Mick Cronin, praised Sean’s decision, saying “He’s going to give himself a chance to be a solidified draft pick and to be preseason player of the year in the American Athletic Conference. He’s going to give himself a chance to be a preseason All-American and to be a top three scorer in the history of Cincinnati basketball.”
Last season Kilpatrick averaged 17 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game.