April 19, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky freshman Doron Lamb has decided to return to Kentucky for his sophomore season and will not declare for the NBA Draft.

Lamb, a 6-foot-4 guard from Queens, N.Y., was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team by the league coaches and was also named Yahoo! Sports’ National Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 12.3 points while shooting an SEC-leading 48.6 percent from 3-point range.

He was named ESPN.com National Player of the Week, USBWA National Player of the Week, Dick Vitale’s Diaper Dandy of the Week and SEC Player of the Week after scoring a then-freshman record 32 points vs. Winthrop on 11-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-8 from 3-point range.

“Last season was an unbelievable run for me and my teammates, winning the SEC Tournament and advancing to the Final Four,” Lamb said. “Losing the last game against UConn was tough and I don’t want to end my college career with that feeling. With the guys we have coming in next year, I know we have the talent to make another run at a national title.  I want to help bring a national championship back to the Big Blue Nation because I know they’ve been waiting too long. I’ve enjoyed my time at Kentucky, playing for Coach Cal and his staff and I’m not ready for it to end.”

“Doron has the opportunity to improve greatly with an additional year in college,” UK men’s basketball coach John Calipari said. “A lot of players have opted to return to school which made it a tougher decision for him. Not only does he gain another year of maturity and school work, but he now has the chance to put in the extra work to elevate his game. I’m excited to have him back.”

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the draft and have until May 8 to withdraw their name from the draft, provided they do not sign with an agent.

The 2011 NBA Draft will take place on June 23.