Tuesday, April 10, 2007
This column was a tough one to put into words. Hey Julian Wright, do you know what I mean?
“It was hard,” Wright said of his decision to put his name into the NBA draft.
It sounded like it was tough, after listening to his explanation at his press conference Monday.
“Money has never been my motivation,” Wright said.
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I didn’t notice any teary eyes in the KU section, only slightly dreary faces who knew the next game was months away in November.
He also said he wasn’t worried about getting injured and spoiling his NBA career. So what was it then? He said he was just looking for an opportunity to take his game to the next level.
“It’s not anything negative,” Wright said. “It’s what I feel is necessary for me.”
Fair enough, but I’m still shocked.
This was supposed to be a year away. Throughout Wright’s time at Kansas, he assured the media and fans that he would return for his third season, graduate by May 2008 and begin his NBA career at that point. We all believed him, and it showed when Kansas lost to UCLA in San Jose, Calif.
I didn’t notice any teary eyes in the KU section, only slightly dreary faces who knew the next game was months away in November.
There were no farewells because no one thought them necessary, unlike every other season when fans have watched the departing seniors take their final steps in a Kansas uniform.
Wright’s constant reiteration of his plan to return had Kansas fans filled with hope. This wasn’t just hope for one more year of Wright’s services as a Jayhawk, but for Kansas’ future as a program — a kind of program where players like Danny Manning, Jacque Vaughn, Raef LaFrentz, Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich still stay around because they know they are a part of something more special than the NBA.
The most talented players rarely stay for four years, a harsh fact for most schools. Kansas has hardly been burdened by this, though. Only three players have ever left Kansas with eligibility remaining: Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Pierce and Drew Gooden. Now Wright is the fourth. In a couple of weeks, Brandon Rush could make it five.
“I don’t think our fan base should be disappointed,” Self said.
Can we be a little disappointed?
If everyone had returned, Kansas may as well have been penciled into the Final Four. This group was one year away from possible immortality in Jayhawk history. Now that Wright is gone, a huge piece will be missing, and the fans didn’t even get to say a proper goodbye.
“We’re going to be good no matter what,” Self said.
True, but it won’t seem quite right without Wright.
Robinett is an Austin, Texas senior in journalism.
— Edited by Sharla Shivers
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