Kentucky's Julius Randle declares for NBA draft

Julius Randle led Kentucky to the national championship game as a freshman. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) Kentucky Wildcats star Julius Randle has announced

Julius Randle led Kentucky to the national championship game as a freshman. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Kentucky Wildcats star Julius Randle has announced that he will be leaving school after one year and entering the NBA draft.

It had been widely assumed that the Wildcats' leading scorer would be headed for the professional ranks after just one season in the NCAA, but the forward confirmed the move on his Twitter account Tuesday and discussed his decision at a press conference shortly afterwards.

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I would like to thank the entire Kentucky family for this year, but I have decided to take the next step and enter into the NBA draft.

— Julius Randle (@J30_RANDLE) April 22, 2014