Bey is staying in the 2020 NBA Draft, where he could end up as a lottery pick.
According to Villanova, Bey said in a statement: “This has been a pivotal time in our country and honestly not how I imagined the last few months playing out. Between the pandemic and national outcry against racial injustice, it has given me a lot of time to think and gain perspective outside of basketball. I have thought a lot about my decision to enter the NBA Draft and specifically how that would impact my coaching staff, teammates and professors. Villanova has the greatest fans in the world and I will miss playing in front of them next year. While I will always be a Wildcat, I have decided to stay in the NBA Draft in pursuit of playing in the NBA.”
Bey was a unanimous All-Big East first-team selection for the 2019-20 season.
“We are all proud of Saddiq,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said in a statement. “He has been the consummate Villanova basketball player and teammate. He is an excellent student, has always thought of the team first, and always takes pride in representing Villanova. Saddiq is making the right decision — he’s ready to be an outstanding player, teammate, and leader in the NBA. The entire Villanova basketball and university community supports Saddiq’s decision and anticipates following his promising NBA career.”
The NBA Draft is tentatively rescheduled for Oct. 15.