Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to enter 2013 NBA Draft

Caldwell-Pope is heading to the NBA. Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs sophomore guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will enter the 2013 NBA Draft, UGA head coach Mark Fox has announced.

Caldwell-Pope (6-5, 205) led the Bulldogs in 2013 with 18.5 points per game, which also ranked second in the SEC. He scored a game-high 32 points in Georgia’s 68-63 loss to LSU in the SEC Tournament.

His efforts resulted in him being named the SEC Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and the AP SEC Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He is the first Bulldog to win both awards in the same season since Dominique Wilkins.

“I want to thank the University of Georgia for all it has done for me,” Caldwell-Pope said.  “I want to thank my coaches, teammates and fans for the love and support.”

“It’s been a pleasure to coach Kentavious and to see him grow as both a player and a person,” Fox said.  “I wish him nothing but success as he pursues his dreams.  He will always be a part of the Georgia family.”

Caldwell-Pope will hire an agent, which means he won’t be able to test the draft waters and then change his mind. The 2013 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 27.

The loss of Caldwell-Pope is a big blow to the 2013-14 Hoop Dawgs and leaves them without a consistent scoring threat.  Most of the 2012-13 team returns next season, but it will be a challenge for the Bulldogs to build off of their late season success.

Related Links

• KCP Makes It Official – UGASports.com
• 2013-14 UGA Basketball Schedule