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Michael Kidd-Gilchrist says he’s ‘staying at Kentucky’

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Mike Miller

There is nothing that I hate more than when reporters start asking underclassmen about the NBA Draft. Nothing good can come out of the “Are you staying or are you leaving?” conversation. If the kid says that he is going pro while there are still games to be played, it makes him look like he doesn’t care about the season he’s currently participating in. If he says he’s coming back, it puts him in a terrible position if he ends up deciding to enter the draft.

That very conversation came up today after Kentucky picked up an 83-74 win over Vanderbilt at Rupp Arena.

“I’m graduating here. I’m not going nowhere. I’m staying at Kentucky,” star freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said, according to Kentucky beat-writer Brett Dawson. “I’m dead serious. I don’t know why y’all laughing.”

MKG is a different kind of star freshman. He’s grounded. He’s humble. He’s got a strong family presence. Just like Jared Sullinger last season, part of me actually believes him when he says he will be coming back to Kentucky, especially if they don’t win a national title this season.

But that is besides the point.

MKG is doing nothing but setting himself up for failure. He’s a college kid that plays basketball in a city where college kids that play basketball are icons. He plays a vital role on the best team in the country. Kentucky is winning games and he is winning over fans all across the country with the way he plays. Anyone in that position would be loving life. I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to return for another year. I’m sure life is pretty awesome for him right now.

But he’s also a college freshman, and kids that age aren’t exactly the most decisive people in the world.

Like any basketball player growing up, MKG’s dream is undoubtedly to play in the NBA. What happens in a month and a half when that dream is dangled in front of him? What happens when he realizes that all those years of hard work will pay off in a big, big way? There is no way that he can know how he will feel then.

And if he does decide to enter the draft, he’s setting up all of Big Blue Nation for a major disappointment.

Look, I want him to come back. I write about college basketball which means that I clearly enjoy watching college basketball. MKG is one of my five favorite players in the country to watch simply because of how talented he is and how hard he plays the game. I want him to return for selfish reasons because having him at the college level makes doing my job that much more fun.

But at this point in the season, the smart move for any player that is asked about the NBA Draft is too simply say “I’m focusing on the season at hand. I’ll worry about the draft when it is time to worry about the draft.” No good can come out of making a definitive statement either way.

For what its worth, there is no doubt in my mind that if he does retract that statement and enter the draft he will still be embraced and adored by Big Blue Nation. No fanbase in any sport is as loyal to their players past and present as Kentucky’s.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.