Julian Wright is headed south to the New Orleans Hornets as the 13th pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Wright slid to 13 in what NBA analysts have called the deepest draft of the decade. Wright said he is excited about his new team and his new teammates.

“I’m happy the Hornets picked me. It’s a great opportunity,” Wright said. “Chris Paul is an outstanding point guard for their team and I’m looking forward to the chance to play with him.”

Wright said he didn’t know where he was going to go until right before he was chosen. He said he is excited to help restore a city that suffered such devastation from Hurricane Katrina.

Wright left Kansas after his sophomore season to become the first pick in the lottery for the Jayhawks since Kirk Hinrich – 7th to the Chicago Bulls and Nick collision – 12th to the Seattle Supersonics in 2003.

Kansas coach Bill Self said he expects Wright to contribute immediately in the Hornets rotation. Self said Wright made a good decision to stay in the draft.

“I believe Julian made the right choice for his family and to have a career,” Self said. “ He made a good business decision. You can’t second guess – he could have gotten hurt and he’s been a good representative for KU.”

Pick up a copy of Monday's University Daily Kansan for full coverage of Julian Wright's NBA future.