Wednesday, March 28, 2007
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Now that Kansas’ season is over, attention turns to which of the players, if any, are headed to the NBA draft.
Several Jayhawks have the credentials to make it in the pros, but they have to balance the benefits of getting paid with the opportunity to improve their game even more with another year in college.
At the top of the list of players who could jump is sophomore guard Brandon Rush. Initially projected to leave after his freshman season, Rush decided to stay for his second season to tweak some aspects of his game, including ball-handling and defense.
After the Kansas loss to UCLA, he said that he hadn’t thought extensively about the decision, but that he would begin exploring his options. Coach Bill Self said he would advise Rush based on how NBA scouts rated him.
“If he projects out to be a high pick, then I think there’s a great chance that he may want to test it. If he doesn’t, I think there’s a great chance he’d be back,” Self said. “I’m not keeping my fingers crossed for him to return, because that’s a selfish thing.”
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Another player who would be able to do well in the draft is sophomore forward Julian Wright. He’s projected as a top-five pick by both ESPN and NBADraft.net, but reaffirmed after the UCLA game that he was not going anywhere.
He’s scheduled to graduate next year and said that getting a college degree and enjoying school were important to him, so he won’t be declaring for the draft.
Sophomore guard Mario Chalmers also put speculation to rest with a strong statement about his future at Kansas.
“I’m coming back,” he said.
Freshman forward Darrell Arthur has also been mentioned as a possible high draft pick. He is more of a mystery, because he was not a starter this year, so it was tough for scouts to grade his performance in games. However, his height and size make him a candidate to go pro at some point in the future. He said after the UCLA game that he hadn’t given it a lot of thought, but that he was probably coming back.
Players can work out for NBA teams without losing their college eligibility as long as they don’t hire an agent. Self said he would talk with teams after those interviews before giving any of the players advice.
pullquote
Next year will be a great team. Not a good team, a great team.
-junior Darnell Jackson
“We’ll gather information and I’ll visit with them and their families,” Self said. “Our goal is not to convince guys to be here if it’s not best for them and their families.”
Regardless of how many players leave, 2007-2008 promises to be another strong season for the Jayhawks, with juniors Sasha Kaun, Russell Robinson and Darnell Jackson all returning as well.
“Next year will be a great team,” Jackson said. “Not a good team, a great team."
Kansan senior sportswriter Michael Phillips can be contacted at mphillips@kansan.com
— Edited by Carissa Pedigo
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Comments
Who will be back for the '07-'08 season?
Rush can't "test it" because he's already entered the draft once.
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