Fresh off a breakout junior season that saw him lead his Kansas Jayhawks to the National Championship Game, Thomas Robinson appears all but certain to declare for the 2012 NBA Draft. Coach Bill Self was asked about Robinson's future following Kansas' 67-59 loss to Kentucky on Monday night, and he all but confirmed that Robinson's college career is over. Via KUSports.com:
"I'll let him make the announcement," coach Bill Self said after the 6-foot-10 junior Robinson went out with 18 points and 17 boards in a 67-59 national title loss to Kentucky in the Superdome. "I'd be shocked (if he came back)."
Robinson himself said he still isn't sure when he will ultimately make up his mind, but his closest friend, Elijah Johnson, said it's essentially a given that Robinson will forego his senior season.
Noted Elijah Johnson about his roommate: "I’d be stupid in my head to think Thomas would be back. It’s all over, man, it’s over,"
Robinson is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and could go as high as No. 2 overall. Robinson averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in leading Kansas further than anyone expected they would go this season.
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