2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Tennessee Volunteers’ Jarnell Stokes to declare Friday

The Tennessee Volunteers were one of the stories of March Madness.

The Volunteers had to play in the “First Four” and defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 78-65. They then blew out the sixth-seeded Massachusetts Minutemen 86-67 and easily dispatched of the Mercer Bears 83-63 before bowing out to the Michigan Wolverines 73-71 in the Sweet 16 in controversial fashion.

One of the biggest reasons for their success was forward Jarnell Stokes, who averaged 18 points and 12.75 rebounds per game in the tournament.

According to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports, the junior is holding a press conference on Friday afternoon to announce that he is declaring for the 2014 NBA Draft.

On the season, the 6’8, 260-pound Stokes averaged 15.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game and shot 53.1% from the field and 69.6% from the free throw line.

Stokes is ranked as the 65th best prospect and is projected to be selected with the 53rd overall pick by Draft Express.

Parrish, however, refers to Stokes as late first or early second rounder.