One-and-done? 6-plus players who might leave quick
The young stars come and go so quickly at Kentucky, with one group of one-year wonders followed by another.
Until last year, Kansas had never even had a one-and-done player.
This season, there is another Jayhawks player and more Wildcats who could go pro after only a year in college.
Since the NBA five years ago started requiring prep players to wait one year after their graduating class to enter the draft, and made an age limit of 19, the number of one-and-done players has increased dramatically.
Those rules could change after the NBA's collective bargaining agreement expires this summer, but wouldn't affect this year's freshmen. So here are some players who may not be in college much longer:
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Jared Sullinger, Ohio State. The man in the post for the undefeated and top-ranked Buckeyes has already been the Big Ten player of the week four times. The 6-foot-9 Sullinger is averaging 17.9 points and 10.2 rebounds and dominating at Ohio State much like he already had in Columbus - as the two-time winner of the Ohio Associated Press Mr. Basketball award in high school.
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Perry Jones, Baylor. The Bears' highest-rated recruit ever likely will become their first one-and-done player. He is projected by most to be a top-three NBA pick - maybe even No. 1 overall. ''He was an unbelievable prospect and he's becoming an unbelievable player,'' Kansas coach Bill Self said. The 6-11 Texan shot 70 percent from the field in Baylor's first six Big 12 games. Overall, Perry averages 13.9 points and 7.1 rebounds.
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Kentucky trio: Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Enes Kanter (sort of). The Wildcats had three one-and-done players drafted last summer - John Wall (first overall), DeMarcus Cousins (fifth) and Eric Bledsoe (18th). This year Knight, the 6-3 guard, already has eight 20-point games and is second on the team in scoring to Jones, the 6-8 forward who averages 18.3 points (third in the SEC) and 8.9 rebounds. The 6-11 Kanter was ruled permanently ineligible without playing for Kentucky. The NCAA said he received benefits above actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club team in Turkey. No rules against him getting paid next season in the NBA.
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Josh Selby, Kansas. A year after Xavier Henry became the first Jayhawks player to leave after one season, Selby could follow with less time on the court. One of the nation's top recruits, the 6-2 guard had to sit out Kansas' first nine games and was fined for accepting impermissible benefits related to his family's association with Carmello Anthony's business manager. He is averaging 11.8 points and three assists.
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Harrison Barnes, North Carolina. Even before playing a game for the Tar Heels, Barnes became the first freshman since the 1986-87 season selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team. Though his draft status has taken a hit while struggling with his shot and turnovers, Barnes made a go-ahead 3-pointer in three of the last four North Carolina games.
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Tristan Thompson, Texas. The 6-8 Canadian, who got to the Lone Star State via Findlay Prep in Nevada, is an emerging big man with a soft touch around the basket. He is the Big 12's top shotblocker (2.3 blocks per game), while averaging 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds a game (fifth in the Big 12). He also leads the Longhorns with 23 steals. Teammate Corey Joseph could also be one-and-done.
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AP Basketball Writers Jim O'Connell, Aaron Beard and Brian Mahoney, and AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.