Kentucky freshman G Rob Dillingham declares for draft

Field Level Media|published: Tue 9th April, 17:05 2024

Nov 17, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) reacts after being fouled during the second half against the Stonehill Skyhawks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. credits: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky freshman guard Rob Dillingham declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on Tuesday, the same day Wildcats coach John Calipari confirmed he will no longer be the school's coach.

Dillingham, 19, told ESPN's "NBA Today" that he has signed with Klutch Sports Group and will forgo his remaining college eligibility.

"This was a decision I made with my family," Dillingham said. "I felt prepared. Coach Calipari taught me a lot about how to be a better teammate and that it was not all about me."

A 6-foot-3, 176-pound native of Hickory, N.C., Dillingham was the Southeastern Conference's Sixth Man of the Year and earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2023-24.

He averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals and shot 44.4 percent from 3-point distance in 32 games (one start) for the Wildcats.

Dillingham is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in ESPN's NBA draft projections. He was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2023, ranked No. 16 nationally by the 247 Sports composite.

Calipari appears close to taking the Arkansas coaching opening.

—Field Level Media