Arkansas was poised to have one of the better basketball teams in the Southeastern Conference next season, and while they still could, the Razorbacks hopes next season may have just taken a big hit as Isaiah Joe has had a change of heart.

The rising junior made the decision to return to Fayetteville for one more season on Aug. 1 but just announced he has changed his mind and will instead declare early for the 2020 NBA Draft following all the uncertainty hovering around the fate of the upcoming college basketball season.

Joe released the following statement on Monday, revealing his change of heart:

“Due to the COVID-10 virus and the unprecedented cancellation of fall sports by several major college conferences in the past week, I believe it is in my best interest to forego the remainder of my college eligibility and re-enter the NBA Draft in time to for the league’s Aug. 17 deadline for underclassmen to declare.

“My announcement on Aug. 1 to return to school for another season as a Razorback was made with whole-hearted excitement and sincerity, but a lot has happened in a short period of time since then to increase the uncertainty that college sports will be played this season.”

Joe averaged 16.9 points and 4.1 rebounds with the Razorbacks last season. Arkansas went 19-7 in games Joe played in and dropped to 1-5 in the games without the shooting guard in the lineup.

Following Joe’s decision to leave Arkansas for the NBA Draft, Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman issued this statement:

“We will always support our players when they decide to chase their NBA dream. We will continue to help Isaiah in any way we can and wish him nothing but the best. Zai has cemented his legacy at Arkansas and will forever be a Razorback.”