April 17, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. –
Marquis Estill has filed to enter the National Basketball Association’s June Draft and will not return to Kentucky next season, the University of Kentucky senior announced today.
Estill had entered UK as a partial qualifier and according to NCAA rules, sat out his freshman season. He played three years at Kentucky and could have earned a fourth year of eligibility had he graduated by next fall.
“I just decided that this would be in the best interest for me and my family,” Estill said. “It was a tough decision because it has been very special for me to wear that Kentucky uniform and represent this University and our great fans each and every game.”
The 6-9 center started all 36 games this season and finished as the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 11.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He helped the Cats to a sweep of the Southeastern Conference for the first time since 1952, a 32-4 Elite Eight finish and a final No. 1 national ranking in The Associated Press poll.
“As I had said earlier, it was Marquis’ plan to test the NBA waters. I have talked to several of my contacts in the NBA and after his performance down the stretch, many feel confident that he’ll likely be drafted,” said Coach Tubby Smith. “He really wants to concentrate on that goal of playing at the next level and to do so will not allow him to earn his degree in time to return next season. So we wish him the best of luck and will try to help him reach his goals in any way possible.”
Estill finished his three-year career as the school’s all-time record holder in field-goal percentage, shooting 60.1 percent. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds for his career, but it was during the 2003 NCAA Tournament that he experienced his greatest success. Against Utah, he tallied a double-double, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds as he dominated the bigger Utes inside. Against Wisconsin in the regional semifinals, and with teammate Keith Bogans exiting early due to an injury, Estill scored a career-high 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting. He finished the four-game tournament appearance by averaging a team-high 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
“I would hope that the NCAA revisits the rule for partial qualifiers,” Smith added. “As it stands now, there are other fifth-year seniors across the country who will play this season who only had to complete 75 percent of their degree requirements. In Estill’s case, he had to graduate in four years to earn that final year of eligibility after already paying the penalty of sitting out his first season.
“I think it’s unfair. For example, here at Kentucky 28 percent of all incoming freshmen in 1997-98 earned their degrees in four years, and that’s a reflection of the national average. That tells me that we’re holding partial qualifiers who have thrived for four years at the collegiate level, yet haven’t earned their degree quicker than most regular students, to a much different standard.”
The NBA Draft is June 26 in New York.
– Go Cats –
