Doesn't help that they now come with the intent to leave from the beginning.
In the past, they came with the mindset that they'd have a full UK career, but might leave early for the pros if things went well.
Now they come with the mindset that they will leave early, but might be forced to stay longer if things don't go well.
There's just been a fundamental change in how the typical UK recruit views the UK experience.
It's not even a Kentucky thing anymore. Using the Rivals rankings for last years freshman class, here is what it looked like in terms of declaring for the NBA draft for all 5 star recruits:
1. Josh Jackson - decalred
2. Harry Giles - declared
3. Jayson Tatum - declared
4. Lonzo Ball - declared
5. Markelle Fultz - declared
6. De-Aaron Fox - declared
7. Bam Adebayo - declared
8. Jonathon Isaac - declared
9. Malik Monk - declared
10. Miles Bridges - returned
11. Marques Bolden - returned
12. Frank jackson - declared
13. Wenyen Gabriel - returned
14. Terrance Ferguson - returned
15. Jarrett Allen - declared
16. TJ Leaf - declared
17. Rawl Alkins - returned
18. Omari Spellman - returned
19. Mustapaa Heron - returned
20. Joshua langford - returned
21. Zach Collins - declared
22. Andrew Jones - returned
23. Kobi Simmons - declared
24. Sacha Killeya-Jones - returned
25. Ike Anigbokgu - declared
26. VJ King - returned
15 of 26 declared for the draft. It will continue to be more and more. It's a 5 star thing and not just a Kentucky thing. It seems more with us because we bring in more 5 stars.