Thursday, April 24, 2008
Being considered a sports hero hasn’t changed Mario Chalmers’ life too much in the past two weeks.
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Mario Chalmers announces his NBA Draft plans at a press conference with Bill Self.
He goes to school. He plays basketball. He shops.
The only difference is that when he’s out, he sees his face on a certain magazine on sale throughout Lawrence.
“Seeing yourself on Sports Illustrated on the cover wherever you go,” Chalmers, junior guard, said, “is something you never thought would come true.”
Another dream could soon come true for Chalmers in the coming weeks. He announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft without hiring an agent Wednesday afternoon, meaning he still has the option of returning to Kansas.
“It’s been kind of the vogue thing to do with everybody, to announce and not hire,” Kansas coach Bill Self said, “and I certainly support him in his quest for living out another dream.”
Chalmers said he’d been told he was currently projected to get drafted in the late first round or early second round. He wants to improve his status before he signs with an agent. If he’s not guaranteed a spot in the first round, Chalmers said he’d come back. He has until June 16 to make his final decision.
Until then, Chalmers will have to try to impress scouts and teams in individual workouts. Self thinks Chalmers could play his way into a top-20 pick.
“That’s kind of the consensus across the board,” Self said.
Chalmers averaged 12.8 points per game this season and finished with a school-record 97 steals. His outside shooting stroke and stealing ability are two of his biggest strengths. And, of course, his game-tying three-pointer in the national championship game, proved he could play in the clutch.
Mario Chalmers junior guard talks to the press Wednesday afternoon about his future plans. Chalmers is not using an agent for the NBA draft which leaves him the option of returning to Kansas.
But Chalmers could have trouble finding a position. At 6-foot-1, he’s played shooting guard for all but a few games during his freshman year. He’ll be too small to play shooting guard in the NBA and will have to move to the point.
Chalmers isn’t the only underclassman guard who’s entered his name in draft for this June. He’ll have to prove he can hang with Memphis’ Derrick Rose, UCLA’s Russell Westbrook and Darren Collison, Indiana’s Eric Gordon, Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless and more to solidify his status.
“Next year’s draft probably won’t be as strong on paper,” Self said, “and I think that’s something he should consider. But he’s earned the right to investigate.”
If Chalmers does come back, Kansas’ backcourt will be one of the best in the nation. Chalmers could automatically boost Kansas from a fringe top 25 team to a top 10 contender. And maybe again, Chalmers could see himself on the cover of a magazine come next April.
“The more you win,” Self said, “the more you want. I want more, and I guarantee he’ll be as hungry as he’s ever been.”
Note: Brandon Rush, who declared for the NBA Draft last week, recently signed with the Chicago-based agency group Priority Sports.
—Edited by Jared Duncan
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