UPDATE: Well as I alluded to at the bottom of the initial post, you can’t believe everything you read or hear (that’s certainly not a shot at Jerry Tipton either). UK spokesman DeWayne Peevy just released the following statement from Daniel Orton on his future:

“I have not declared for the NBA Draft,” Orton said in a statement. “I’m currently weighing my options and will make a decision prior to the deadline.”

So there you have it. Orton’s status remains in the air. Interesting that his dad would come out and say his son was declaring. Expect the rumor mill to pick back up.

The news Kentucky basketball fans did not want to hear came from Jerry Tipton on Wednesday.

Tipton talked to Daniel Orton’s father, Larry, who told the Lexington Herald-Leader beat reporter that Orton will submit his name for the NBA Draft. Orton will not hire an agent, according to his father, and will have the option of returning to school.

According to NCAA rules, underclassmen must withdraw from the draft by May 8.

Orton’s father said he is entering the draft to see how viable he is as an NBA prospect.

“Just to see where he is,” Larry Orton said. “I don’t see that as a big deal.”

But to UK fans, it could mean the the complete overhaul of the freshman class. Although no announcements have been made, many expect freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins to make the jump, and now Eric Bledsoe has been rumored as a lottery pick as well. 

As a UK employee, I can’t really speculate on what the players will or won’t do and I certainly can’t talk about potential prospects because this is the official Web site of UK Athletics.

I can tell you not to believe everything you read on the message boards. Tipton’s report is certainly legit, but there is going to be a lot of guessing and second-guessing among the fan base because these are such high-impacting decisions on the team.

Underclassmen have until April 25 to submit their names for the NBA Draft. The draft takes place June 24 in Madison Square Garden in New York City.