Brandon Rush dipped his toe into an already crowded NBA Draft pool on Friday.

Rush, a sophomore guard, has been steadily slipping in the pre-draft projections as dozens of other underclassmen have entered what is being called the best draft class in years. But that wasn’t enough to change his mind as he filled out the paperwork and declared himself eligible before leaving for a weekend vacation.

While Rush can still return to the team by withdrawing from the draft before June 18, coach Bill Self isn’t expecting that.

“The team we have returning now is our team,” he said. “Anything else would be a bonus.”

The Jayhawks are unlikely to add another scholarship player to the team for next year, as almost all of the elite players have already committed to various schools.

Self had advised Rush to wait and see how many other players would enter the draft. On Wednesday, the two met for most of the afternoon, with Self laying out pages of information for Rush about how NBA scouts saw him and what he could gain by staying or leaving.

At the end of the meeting, Rush told his coach that he was probably going to turn pro, leading Self to think that Rush was leaning that way all along.

“What I wish had happened was, if he knew all along what he was going to do, we’d be better off with him doing it,” Self said. “If he made the decision three weeks ago, I think we would have had a good opportunity to replace him.”

Because the door is still open for Rush to return, the Jayhawks can’t add another scholarship player just yet. Because of NCAA sanctions against the team, they have one fewer scholarship available than other teams next year. The team was at capacity under the sanctions, but Rush’s departure would free one up.

To return to Kansas, Rush cannot hire an agent or accept any money or other benefits while he works out for NBA teams. He’d have to pay his own way to the NBA draft camps as well as any other events he wished to attend. Self also said that there’s a large mental hurdle to clear as well.

“I think that whenever guys declare that are going to be high draft picks, I think it’s difficult for a lot of those guys to come back,” he said. “Nothing would surprise me, but I told him that if he does this, he needs to go for it.”

Currently, Rush is being projected as a late first- or early second-round pick. First-rounders receive guaranteed contracts, but players chosen in the second round have to make the team, then negotiate for their salary.

Rush can improve his stock with a strong showing at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp, which takes place in Orlando, Fla., in the last week of May. It won’t be his first time at the camp. Rush attended his senior year of high school, before he decided to come to Kansas.

“He performed really well the first time around,” Self said. “I’m sure that’s a high-anxiety event, and I’m sure he will be a little bit calmer because he knows what to expect.”

Rush was not available to comment for this story. He said after making his decision that he would not be holding a press conference to discuss it.

NBA commissioner David Stern has called this year’s draft the strongest since underclassmen first began jumping pro in the early ’90s. Players across the country, including Rush’s former teammate, Julian Wright, are going pro this year.

“You see people all over the country doing it,” Self said. “It’s a popular thing to do.”

For Rush, age was one of the factors. He will turn 22, the age of a college senior, this summer. He’s nearing the peak of his career and is ready to get some NBA experience under his belt.

That leaves next year’s Kansas team with a mix of old and young players. Veterans like Russell Robinson and Darnell Jackson will mix with Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur. Several players on the team have NBA potential, but this year were unable to step up into a starring role because of Rush and Wright.

Newcomers Cole Aldrich and Tyrel Reed are also expected to be able to contribute minutes right away.

Self said part of the reality of coaching at Kansas is dealing with early departures for the NBA. Rush almost skipped being a Jayhawk to go pro straight out of high school.

“We were hopeful to get him for one year when we signed him,” Self said. “To get two years was a bonus.”

Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@kansan.com.

— Edited by Ryan Schneider