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Thomas Robinson will hold a news conference with Kansas head coach Bill Self on Monday, the school announced. A news conference by a college basketball star around this time of the year usually means one thing: NBA Draft time! Robinson, who was one of the nation's top big men, is expected to declare for the 2012 NBA Draft at that press conference, according to a report by ESPN.
Update: Robinson officially declared.
The news comes by way of Recruit Scoop, passing along an ESPN report by Chad Ford.
Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson will enter the 2012 NBA Draft, according to ESPN.
— Alex Kline (@TheRecruitScoop) April 9, 2012
It's no surprise to see Robinson jumping ship for the NBA a year early, and he has certainly earned it. Robinson has been a star this season, and been through hell and back on his journey to the NBA. As an easy lottery pick, Robinson stands to earn a significant windfall by going pro early, and had little reason to return with his stock through the roof.