Kansas star freshman center Joel Embiid announced Wednesday that he will turn pro, entering the 2014 NBA Draft that will take place in June.
Embiid will join former Jayhawks teammate Andrew Wiggins, as both players have very high chances of being the No. 1 overall pick of the draft.
Embiid made the decision in a news conference at Allen Fieldhouse. He says he reached his decision last Sunday.
"I just want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates, the fans, my mentor, everybody that has helped me through my journey," said Embiid.
Embiid is the top center prospect in this draft and has been linked in the past to going No. 1 when the Milwaukee Bucks stated they would pick him if they had the first overall pick.
Nonetheless, Embiid is easily going to go top 5 and likely top 3 with the likes of Wiggins and Jabari Parker—if he declares, which he hasn't yet.
The 7-foot Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and nearly three blocks per game with Kansas in the 2013-14 college basketball season. His injury was a key factor to his Jayhawks being knocked out of the NCAA Tournament so very early.
