Keion Brooks to Return to Kentucky, Forgo 2020 NBA Draft

Alan Youngblood/Associated Press

Kentucky Wildcats forward Keion Brooks Jr. will not be a one-and-done player at the SEC program.

On Tuesday, he announced he will “run it back” during the 2020-21 campaign as a sophomore:

Keion Brooks Jr. @KeionB_12

Let’s run it back BBN💙 https://t.co/OgVM55uLcr

Brooks arrived at Kentucky as a 5-star prospect and the No. 24 overall player in the class of 2019, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He was more of a secondary contributor during his first collegiate season, though, and averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Kentucky is known for cycling through freshmen before they head to the draft after one season, but Brooks never found a significant role in an offense featuring Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, Tyrese Maxey and Ashton Hagans.

He flashed his potential with 10 points in his final game of the season against Florida, drilling both of his three-point attempts and attacking the basket a handful of times. He also scored in double figures during a conference win over Arkansas but didn't quite live up to the early hype that accompanied his recruiting ranking.

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Brooks will have an opportunity to change that with more experience under his belt on a Wildcats team that figures to challenge for an SEC title next season.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports recently ranked Kentucky No. 9 on his Top 45 rankings for next season, and it could be even better if Brooks continues to improve as head coach John Calipari expects.

“Keion improved as much as anyone on our team,” Calipari said, per WKYT in Lexington, Kentucky. “This season was great for him. He learned about himself, he learned about the game and he learned about what it takes to be special. And let me say this: I truly believe Keion Brooks is going to be special.”

If he is special next season, it will be in a Wildcats uniform.

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