Conflicting reports emerge regarding Shaedon Sharpe, NBA Draft

John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats were able to haul in one of the top players in the country with point guard Shaedon Sharpe. Originally a member of the 2022 recruiting class, Sharpe was able to enroll for the 2021-2022 college basketball and begin his college career a year early. With that, the ability to leave for the 2022 NBA Draft became a possibility.

On Tuesday, a report emerged that Sharpe would be entering the NBA Draft while keeping his college eligibility intact. A potential lottery pick, despite his young age, Sharpe could be one league scouts are desperate to get their hands on thanks to his potential.

However, conflicting reports regarding the decision have emerged. According to Kyle Tucker of The Athletic, Sharpe is telling people he will be staying at Kentucky and playing for the Wildcats next season. Even so, Calipari is preparing for Sharpe to leave for the NBA, needing to have backup plans for the roster.

“FWIW, Sharpe and those around him are still telling Kentucky he intends to play there next season,” Tucker said via Twitter. “Wisely, Kentucky is preparing contingencies anyway. If Sharpe ultimately goes, there will be replacement options.”

The On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services, ranked Sharpe as the No. 4 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class. He did not play this season for the Wildcats, with Calipari saying it would not have been best for the point guard.

Calipari also recently discussed Shaedon Sharpe and his potential decision to declare for the NBA Draft. The head coach sounded like he was preparing to be without Sharpe next season, even if a return is still possible.

“Well, we sat down and talked to him,” Calipari said about Sharpe, via KSR’s Jack Pilgrim. “You know, I talked to him and I talked to his mom and dad. I think he’s got to explore, but he’s got to make a decision on, ‘Alright, do I want this right now? Am I ready for this right now? Is it where I thought it was, or where people are saying?’

“As you go through the process, this information comes back from the NBA. Not an agent or anybody else around you, it comes from the NBA. You have a better idea of what everything is. And until these kids all get that information, it’s hard.”