Tennessee star forward Jarnell Stokes will bypass his senior season with the Volunteers to enter the highly anticipated 2014 NBA Draft in June.

CBS Sports broke the news on Friday, and Stokes confirmed reports about his decision to turn professional at a news conference in Tennessee.

"I want to thank Tennessee for making these last three years so special," Stokes said, via ESPN. "I definitely grew up and became a man here, and I'll always be a Vol for life."

The 6-foot-8 forward had an impressive junior season with the Vols as he averaged 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds, leading Tennessee to a 24-13 record, which was enough for them to earn a spot in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

Although the Volunteers fell short in the tournament after losing to the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16, the 20-year-old forward caught the attention of NBA scouts after averaging 18.0 points and 12.8 rebounds in the tournament.

Draft Express listed Stokes as the 53rd overall pick in their recent mock draft, but he is unfazed about the different draft projections, reiterating that some teams are reportedly interested in picking him in the first round.

"I feel like some teams are giving me a shot at the first round," Stokes said. "It just all depends on where I work out at and how I work out. I feel like I control my own destiny."

Meanwhile, Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier continues to move up in most mock drafts after helping UConn win the title in the 2014 NCAA tournament.

ESPN insider Chad Ford said in his recent chat session that Napier's stock has been rising, and teams looking for point guard help are expected to give him a strong look before the June draft.

"He's a four year senior, so the scouting report on him is pretty secure. But with PGs, teams want to see your leadership abilities. Being a winner, rightly or wrongly, helps. Napier's leadership, clutch shooting all have improved his stock much the same way it did for Kemba Walker a couple years ago," Ford said of Napier.

Napier, who is projected as a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, averaged 18.0 points to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in his senior season.

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