Nerlens Noel to Kentucky: Choosing Wildcats Guarantees Noel Will Be One-and-Done

Add another entry into the John Calipari One-and-Done All-Stars.

Don't be surprised when the nation's top recruit, Nerlens Noel, declares for the NBA draft after only one season at Kentucky next year. It's what Calipari recruits do, after all.

The names speak for themselves.

This year, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague appear they'll all declare after just one season. The year before, it was Brandon Knight. And who could forget John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe?

Or Derrick Rose back in Memphis, for that matter?

A lot of people have a problem with Calipari's NBA minor-league program, but I don't. Many of these guys would be going straight to the NBA if they could, and who is anyone else to begrudge them of the opportunity to financially provide for their families?

If they want to start their career early in life, so be it.

Noel is likely no different. He probably looked at Kentucky, figured Calipari gave him the best opportunity to win a national title in his freshman season and figured that was the place he wanted to play.

It doesn't hurt that Calipari coached in the NBA, has contacts in the league and knows how to develop players so they're ready to make the transition to play with the big boys after spending only a year with the Wildcats.

So why wouldn't Noel go there if his plan was to only remain in college for one year (if that is, in fact, his plan)?

Kentucky will be on the shortlist to win the national title next season, at least in the preseason. It's loaded once again with three top-20 recruits (Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress join Noel).

And Noel will get to have his cake and eat it, too, fulfilling the NBA's eligibility requirements and possibly getting a national championship while he's at it.

No wonder he carved a "UK" in the back of his head.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.