Cliff Alexander will not be back at Kansas. (USATSI)
Kansas freshman Cliff Alexander has decided to turn pro. (USATSI)

Kansas freshman Cliff Alexander will enter the NBA Draft rather than return to school and fight for reinstatement with the NCAA, a source told CBSSports.com on Tuesday.

KU coach Bill Self subsequently confirmed the news.

"This should come as no surprise," Self said. "Cliff had a very interesting ... year."

Alexander missed KU's final eight games because of elgibility concerns rooted in allegations that he or a family member accepted improper benefits. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this season. He's projected as a borderline first-round pick, according to CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie.

"We all feel bad for Cliff for what he and our team had to go through because it was difficult for him to sit and watch his teammates play without him," Self said. "During his time here, Cliff certainly got better. I loved coaching Cliff. But we support his decision 100 percent to move on and take his ability to the next level."