VAUGHT: Four Kentucky players projected in first round of 2020 Draft

By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky has four players projected by ESPN in the first round of the 2020 draft — and that could be really good news for Kentucky.

That’s because two of the players are Tyler Herro and Ashton Hagans — meaning that both would be back for a sophomore season at Kentucky and that would be huge for the Cats.

The top projected pick for UK in the 2020 draft is UK commit Kahlil Whitney. He’s projected at No. 11 overall and the second small forward to be chosen.

Herro is projected at No. 18, just outside the lottery, while Hagans is slated for No. 20 in the ESPN mock draft. Herro is becoming a better all-around player almost every game and same for Hagans. Herro has improved his defense dramatically and Hagans has done the same with his offense — he has three or more assists in 13 straight games — and is averaging 10.8 points per game since becoming a starter.

The other projected draft pick in 2020 is signee Tyrese Maxey at No. 21. That would give UK four of the top 21 players in the 2020 draft and all four are perimeter players.

Two of UK’s top remaining recruiting targets, Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards, are projected 1-2 in the 2020 NBA draft.