--Last offseason, junior Brandon Rush declared for the NBA draft but a torn knee ligament forced his decision to return to Kansas for one more season. The reward turned out to be quite rich -- an NCAA national title. But Rush is back in the NBA draft, as announced to the media at KU on April 16.
"No turning back from here," Rush said a press conference in Hadl Auditorium. "I've been hearing late first round, early second, just depends on how I do in my workouts."
--Sophomore Darrell Arthur has also thrown his name into the ring for the draft but won't sign with an agent. He'll be in a situation similar to the one Rush was last year and can opt to return to Kansas by June 16 if he doesn't hire an agent before that.
"I thought this would be the best way to go through with it, without an agent," Arthur said. "If it's good, I'll stay, if not, I'll come back and try to get another national championship."
Arthur said his goal is to be in the top half of the first round. Many times, teams will give specific players assurances or promises before the draft. If Arthur doesn't get such word, he could easily be back at KU in 2008-09.
--On April 23, junior guard Mario Chalmers, arguably the player most responsible for the new national title banner coming to Lawrence, became the third starter from the KU national title team to enter the NBA draft.
"If it doesn't work out positively," Chalmers said, "I'll come back and help us win another national championship. If I hear anything that's not in the first round, I'll just come back."
Chalmers told the Wichita Eagle he has been told he's projected anywhere from 25th to 35th. There are 30 picks in the first round.
Players who entered the draft have until June 16 to withdraw their names from draft consideration and retain their college eligibility.
FINAL RECORD
37-3, 13-3, tied first in the Big 12.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
A one-point loss at Oklahoma State galvanized the team. Players met without coaches after returning to Lawrence and mapped out a goal to win it all. When the Jayhawks were at their best, they triggered their offense with steals that led to transition and were adept converting lobs into dunks. Although the offense was high-powered, Kansas could win at a different tempo and didn't get overly flustered by opponents slowing the pace.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Very little. When Kansas struggled it was usually because the big men were in foul trouble or shots weren't falling. It could go cold, sometimes off open looks. And, when the guards failed to generate steals, the defense sometimes suffered against opponents who were quick to the rim. Unselfishness usually enabled Kansas to work through these difficulties.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"As a coach, you love to win. But it's totally different when you win when you're not supposed to win and you have to do it through toughness and guys stepping up and just making plays when it doesn't look good." -- Kansas coach Bill Self.
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