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Julian Wright, who figures to become an instant millionaire June 28, says pursuit of the almighty dollar is not why he has decided to leave Kansas University for the NBA.
"Money has never been my motivation," the 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore forward said Monday at a news conference announcing his decision to skip his final two years of school.
"It's not my family's motivation. It's not about the money."
Wright will receive anywhere between $2.6 and $8.1 million guaranteed over two years if he, as expected, is selected in the lottery (first 14 picks) of the June draft.
But he says his decision to depart is more about progressing in the sport he loves.
"I feel I can advance my game playing at the next level," said Wright, who plans to hire an agent prior to June, when he will begin working out for NBA teams.
"It is an honor just to be projected to be picked by one of the top teams and to be able to compete with the best players in the world. I want to take my game to another level - to develop in the NBA."
Wright, a Chicago native who averaged 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds his sophomore season at KU, first dreamed of playing in the NBA "in my driveway hitting game-winners like Michael Jordan.
Reader poll
What do you think of Julian Wright's decision to go pro?
- He should've stayed longer and gotten an education 53% 286 votes
- How could he leave that NBA money on the table? 41% 225 votes
- Undecided 4% 25 votes
536 total votes.
"It didn't hit me until I played my first varsity game as a sophomore: 'Hey, I've got a chance to get recruited,'" said Wright, who ascended to McDonald's All-America status at Homewood-Flossmoor High.
He said he stopped daydreaming about the pros after arriving on KU's campus in May of 2005 until days after KU's Elite Eight loss to UCLA on March 24.
"I never really looked into anything about the NBA because it's not what my focus was throughout the year," said Wright, who told reporters after that game he definitely would be back for his junior season. "I knew it would not be good for the team. Nobody on the team is looking out for individual things. After the season unwound, I started looking into some things. The interest sparked from there."
He said his family members did some checking and discovered he'd be an elite pick in the 2007 draft.
"My family has been doing a lot in terms of getting in contact with some people, not directly with any agents," said Wright, who indicated, "I expect to be in the top 10-15, 10-16 range.
"No advisers, just me and my family and what's in my heart."
Wright also spoke to KU coach Bill Self "a couple of times." However, Self - who learned of Wright's decision Friday but gave him the weekend to sleep on it - never formally presented any draft information to his standout sophomore.
"I was in the process of gathering information," Self said. "My rundown would have told him he'd be a guy who has a great chance to go lottery. I would have told him what they (Wright family members) already believed. The consensus (of NBA teams) is his leaving would be a good business decision."
Still, Self admits to being a bit surprised of Wright's "business decision."
Julian Wright's press conference
Kansas sophomore forward Julian Wright announces his intention to leave school for the NBA draft during a press conference Monday afternoon.
"This is a moment I knew would come," fourth-year coach Self said of losing his first underclassman to the draft. "With this team, I knew it'd come. To be honest, I didn't think Julian would be the first guy to declare. Still, it's not totally a bad thing, because when guys experience success and move on, it always is very attractive to some other guys (recruits) who want to do things similar to what Julian did."
One of the reasons Wright's decisions caught Self by surprise is Wright's insistence in interviews he'd be back for season No. 3.
"We recruited Julian in one night. It took one good 2 1/2-hour meeting, and he wanted to be a Kansas Jayhawk," Self said of an in-home recruiting visit.
"When Julian made that decision, he was focused strictly on Kansas. When he said he was coming back, he was focused strictly on coming back. We've all done things in our lives (where) you believe something at the time, then circumstances change.
Fans react to news of Wright's departure
6News Reporter Todd Johnson visited a spot on Mount Oread where Julian Wright had many friends - the campus bowling alley - to get reactions about his announcement to enter the NBA Draft.
"Later you may think, 'Oh, maybe I shouldn't have come out that strong.' We talked about that. He's been very bold in what he was saying about coming back. I really believe at the time he said it he felt total conviction he was doing so."
Wright said he regretted "the way I approached the situation. After the game we lost to UCLA, you have media there. After I said it and read it, I was like, 'That's kind of how I felt at the time,' but I knew I'd have more down time to look at it after the season."
It was during that down time Wright decided the time was now to jump, despite the fact KU, if he and Brandon Rush stayed on board, would return five starters from a 33-5 team.
"Obviously, I love the team and coaches. It's time," Wright said. "I feel I need to do what's best for me and my family, do what's necessary for me to become the best player in the long run."
As far as Wright gaining his communications degree, both player and coach said that would happen.
Highlights from Wright's career at KU
Though Julian Wright was only a Jayhawk for 2 years, he still made quite an impact on the program. Here are some highlights from Julian's brief KU career.
Wright will finish the semester and leave KU about 30 hours shy of his diploma.
"The only thing I asked him was, 'Is graduation enough to keep you from leaving this year?' The only reason I thought he should stay was if getting his degree was most important," Self said.
"I do believe that will take place. He promised his family and everybody, 'I will get my degree.' He is pretty committed when he has his mind made up."
Of putting his degree aspirations on hold, Wright said: "That part was definitely tough. Before I was recruited, before I got here, I said I'd graduate college in three years. I've pretty much finished my required classes."
Wright said it was tough to tell his teammates he was leaving. He'll continue to work out with them until semester's end.
"Walking on campus, talking to my teammates, it's hard. Presently, it's hard. It's been my toughest decision," Wright said, adding, "I'll still be around here until the end of the semester. I'll still be around my teammates, pull them aside and talk."
Wright becomes first KU sophomore to declare for the NBA Draft
All during the season, Julian Wright made it known he planned on returning for his Junior season with KU basketball, however with the possibility of being a lottery pick, Wright has decided to enter the NBA Draft.
Self said Monday was not a day of mourning.
"Not a sad day, just a day if you coach at Kansas you'll have to deal with time to time," Self said.
"I do not think our fan base should be disappointed in this decision. I think our fan base should be realistic enough to know that when guys perform well, sometimes tough decisions have to be made. I know it's been tough for 'Ju,' but not been a sad period of time for me. I've said all along players should do what is best for them and their family. Who is to judge what's best? If he feels strongly about this, he has our support."
Other early-exit Jayhawks
Julian Wright announced Monday his intention to make himself eligible for the NBA Draft, thus becoming the first Jayhawks basketball player to leave for the pros after his sophomore season. The other four Jayhawks who left early to play for pay:
1. Wilt Chamberlain: Signed with Harlem Globetrotters after junior season in 1958.
2. Norm Cook: Drafted by Boston Celtics in first round with 16th overall pick after junior season in 1976 NBA Draft.
3. Paul Pierce: Drafted by Boston Celtics in first round with 10th overall pick in 1998.
4. Drew Gooden: Drafted by Memphis Grizzlies in first round with fourth overall pick in 2002.
Wright's Career at KU
- Keegan: Potential potent in NBA (04-10-07)
- Julian Wright notebook (04-10-07)
- What others are saying (04-10-07)
- Podcast:Julian Wright announces his intention to enter the 2007 NBA Draft
- See what they're saying on the street »
- 6Sports Video: Julian Wright is headed for the NBA (04-09-07)
- Fullcoverage of Julian Wright »
More like this
- Julian Wright notebook 5 comments / April 10, 2007
- With Wright gone, fans wonder who's next 15 comments / April 10, 2007
- What others are saying 21 comments / April 10, 2007
- Keegan: Potential potent in NBA 5 comments / April 10, 2007
- Rushing off 59 comments / April 28, 2007
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Comments
Chicago_JHawk (anonymous) says…
Best of luck, Julian. We'll miss you...
Mangino_Maniac (anonymous) says…
Ack... money, money, money. So much for college and finishing his degree.
supermario15 (anonymous) says…
Best of luck to Julian in the future
ku_bringback_danny (anonymous) says…
big mistake!!! But, I wish him the best.
nebraska_jayhawk (anonymous) says…
Wow, he was my favorite player too. Suck.
clittle02 (anonymous) says…
Hate to see it, but good luck, Julian!!
ttoulouse (anonymous) says…
If it's all about "feeling like I'm able to advance my game and play at the next level" then you're not there dude. Oh well, more PT for Arthur I guess. We're loaded with bigs next year anyway.
rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says…
I wish him the best but I can't see him getting off the bench much, with his lack of size, ball handling and shooting skill. Looks like '06-07 was our best shot at a title with this group, hate to see another great class fall short.
jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says…
Money has to be the motivation...his game is NOT ready for the NBA. He came to play about 1 out of every 4 games, at best.
Oh, well, best of luck Julian!!!!
Nutflush21 (anonymous) says…
Obviously NOT a big mistake. He is going to be drafted in the top 10 and get guaranteed money. It's never a mistake for someone to enter the draft if they are going to go this high. It sucks for KU and their fans, but not a mistake.
rscool51 (anonymous) says…
You will be missed Julian....Time to start drinking some beers
jklein38 (anonymous) says…
Good Luck...although you lied to us for an entire season.
Hopefully the NBA coaches tell him he isn't a point guard and he can't dribble the full length of the court and try to make the spectacular pass.
austin5string (anonymous) says…
You may say it's not the money - I hope the paychecks help ease the regret you feel in a couple years (or sooner, when you're not drafted as a lottery pick). You're not ready.
Best of luck, regardless.
Migady (anonymous) says…
I wish him the best. Not to say it doesn't sting.
kujayhawk (anonymous) says…
Wish I could make a mistake like that.
emeryhawk (anonymous) says…
Bummer. My first reaction was that Julian is making a big mistake to hire an agent. Seeing how he's projected by those sites to go either 8th or 9th, it looks like he's in good shape for the lottery. I think Julian's a guy who will impress a lot in work outs as well. Good luck with the next step Julian!
One interesting note is that nbadraft.net has Rush going in the early second round. If that's an accurate projection he would be wise to stick around another year. If we keep Rush we are still a top-5 team next year, at least from my perspective. This talk about Collins transferring is scary though.
justinryman (anonymous) says…
Go for it!!! make it worth every oppotunity. You can always go back to college and earn your degree with the money you will make, whats two semesters of scholl going to cost you? You were fun to watch thanks for the memories, and nothing but good luck in the future. I know I would do it to.
Andini (anonymous) says…
I hope Matt Kleinmann doesn't declare for the NBA too.
jacque11 (anonymous) says…
Never Like to see them leave early.
Hawks will be fine.
Julian didn't show up in the tournament anyways.
b-rush must stay, this better not influence him.
always4ever (anonymous) says…
So no doesn't mean no? I wonder how his grades were? He is a great guy and will be missed.
guesswho (anonymous) says…
KU fans are like jilted lovers "you promised you would stay". Get over it. NBA often drafts on potential, and I trust the NBA scouts a lot more then all the KU fans posting here put together. He had a great two years, I wish we could have one or two more, but that's life in the fast lane.
wiltstilt (anonymous) says…
give 'em hell, julian.
i could see him struggling for a couple years against the more seasoned players, but ultimately he should be solid... maybe a poor man's shawn marion (complete with the weird shooting form).
we'll miss him, that's for sure.
mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…
"Posted by kujayhawk (anonymous) on April 9, 2007 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wish I could make a mistake like that."
Possibly the best post I've ever read on kusports.com. Five stars for you, kujayhawk.
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says…
Godspeed Julian.
Thanks for the memories!
chaggs (anonymous) says…
Hate to see you go...but...Best of luck JuJu. I know you will be as fun to watch in the NBA as you were in college.
You will always be welcome back home to scrimmage with the other greats!
ryblake (anonymous) says…
emeryhawk, where did you get this info about Collins transferring?
blogthis (anonymous) says…
If they say it isn't about the money..........
Jclarkson (anonymous) says…
BYE DAD!!!!
KUFootballrocks (anonymous) says…
Sweet typos L-J World ... high quality
dek9219 (anonymous) says…
Good luck Ju. Wish you hadn't told us all you were staying. You were our favorite and we will now watch some NBA just because of you and Hinrich.
DocBean (anonymous) says…
please stay brandon!!! Come back, win player of the year, win a championship, get drafted in the top 5 in 2008, and then brag to Julian and your brothers that you did what they couldn't till the end of your days.
meyermj (anonymous) says…
Whats this about Collins transferring? I haven't heard anything about that.
doctorWho (anonymous) says…
Doing anything else would be stupid.
Good luck Mr. Wright.
MarchSadness (anonymous) says…
First sophomore in school history to go pro? Yes Julian is very good, but good enough to be the first sopomore to leave early? Julian is an athlete, no doubt, but where's the jumper, where's the ball control? The potential is there, but it's just potential. I think he left a year too early, but I wish him the best!
emeryhawk (anonymous) says…
ryblake, nowhere credible. Someone else posted on this site earlier today saying they heard he was homesick and thinking about transferring to DePaul. I've heard the homesick rumors before so it kind of put a scare into me!
DocBean (anonymous) says…
Good luck Julian, I was hoping for an undefeated season next year, but I guess 1loss and a championship will have to be good enough. =(
livingkate (anonymous) says…
I hope he doesn't get killed by the big men. Good luck, Julian.
JayCeph (anonymous) says…
I will NEVER post on this site again (until I do).
I promise that hubris in not my motivator (until my ego gets the best of me).
I don't give a crap about North Carolina ('till I see them lose and then I am happy).
I will never believe another word that any athlete/coach/celebrity says ('till they say something I want to hear).
Definitively non-committal... Sheesh~
Mangino_Maniac (anonymous) says…
Anyone else tired of 'surprising' and disappointing news from the KU over the past number of years when you think such news wouldn't be heard?
(all of these happened when most of us probably thought the opposite would occur)...
Julian declares for the draft
C.J. hits a girl and leaves the team
J.R. gets in a knife fight and later transfers
Alex transfers
Padgett transfers
Omar transfers
Micah transfers
First round lost to Bradley
First round lost to Bucknell
Roy bolts for UNC
What's next? I feel like all I'm certain of anymore with KU hoops is that there will be some disappointing news that I never expected to hear... what news awaits us this summer?
Guess I'd just like to see alittle more stability from the KU hoops scene.
Colgrove (anonymous) says…
The final goal when going to college is to find a job. . . he just found a well-paying one earlier than most.
BigTrav (anonymous) says…
Damn, let it go, it's not the end of the world. He represented our program well, wish him well and get over it. Some of you act like he just stabbed you personally in the back. He's an athlete, every athlete's goal is to play professionally, he's been told that as a sophmore he has the ability to go pro and be a top 15 pick. We should feel honored to have someone with his ability having chose KU as his school of choice. Sure, as KU fans in a perfect world nobody would leave early, but that's just not going to happen. Move on and get over your grudges. KU basketball will continue to have success no matter who decides to leave or stay. None of you are NBA scouts so even if you don't think he's ready, apparently they do because of what their telling him. You don't have to be just a scorer to be a successful pro player.
blogthis (anonymous) says…
Paul Pierece was taken 10th in the draft and is an NBA all-star.
I don't see Julian as being as polished as Pierce.
Paul could actually dribble.
JayhawkPhil (anonymous) says…
At least this means Morningstar does not have to give up his scholarship
Mangino_Maniac (anonymous) says…
Alright, there is stability in KU hoops... 25 wins or so each year is nice stability, and beating K-State every time out is even better. ;-)
Sorry for the earlier rant... I just really liked Julian, and still do.
RCJH
emeryhawk (anonymous) says…
Even if the doomsday scenerio happens--Julian, Arthur, Rush leaving for the pros and Collins transferring (pure rumor, by the way!)--KU will be in a strong position to win the Big 12 honors again; that's how deep this team is. Rush leaving is scary though. It's going to take a great string of luck to make a final four without a wing of his quality. But college basketball is so unpredictable, and I've seen us get burned so many years when we had incredibly talented teams, that maybe it will be one of the so-called "down" years for talent when it will all come together. Whatever happens with the NBA, I think we'll see a good team next year. Realistically, I think Wright made an understandable decision, and the only other person with something to think about is Rush. I think he should stay, but what do I know.
ryblake (anonymous) says…
I hope the homesick stuff is just a rumor, I can't handle losing Ju and possibly Sherron and Brandon. B Rush needs to stay, one more consistent year can put him in the lottery. I would hate for Rush to leave and end up in the 2nd round without a guaranteed contract.
I enjoy watching Julian and I'm going to miss him but I can't blame him if he's a sure fire 1st rounder. I just don't like him playing with my emotions and saying he's coming back. I feel like we have Nick Saban Lawrence version. Much love Ju and good luck. rock chalk from Lubbock.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…
Julian, you will really be missed. Best of luck and do not forget you are a Jayhawk.
OmahaKUAlum (anonymous) says…
I agree, I think Julian is making a mistake. If it really is about him being able to compete at the next level (and not about money, which it usually is), he would be much better off with another college season. He is a great raw talent, but the key word is RAW. He is the definition of inconsistent; he looks great at times, but looks very mediocre at times as well. Another year to polish his skills and he would certainly be a top 5 pick, not to mention have a college degree. And to those who say "he lied to us all year" by saying he would definitely come back, unfortunately that's the nature of the beast. Players and coaches make too many promises these days, and we take it personally when they don't uphold those promises. I'm not one of the million who are bitter about Roy leaving, but he did say he would finish his career at Kansas and didn't. I don't think we should fault a 19 or 20 year old for saying he would stay. Best of luck Julian...we wish you well!
yovoy (anonymous) says…
b-rush declaring might've been better for the team. collins won't take to sitting much longer.
with rush gone, collins and morningstar would be able to develop a little bit more. i know, i said it - morningstar. doubt him if you'd like, but the given the opportunity, he's (gonna be) a player.
will this press the new kid into more service?
russrob/collins/supermario - alt'ing at the 1 @ 2 spots
rush and? - 3 (maybe teach rodstewart to shoot?, he boards and defends decently already)
shady/darnell/kaun - 4 & 5, with kaun being the biggest liability (if you wanna call 6'11" a liability) of the 3.
i'd say morningstar would work at the 3, and maybe throw case in there at the 2 spot sometimes.
i just don't know what we really have coming in.
we WERE looking at being top 5 w/ ju coming back, i'm not so sure now. it'll be exciting as always. hope the guys in the league come back and preach to this new crop like that have in the past.
happyp (anonymous) says…
Julian, I wish you the best of luck. Thanks for all the hard work with the Jayhawks. I know you will do well and I do think you are ready for the next level! We will miss you.
stujayhawk (anonymous) says…
Julian Wright is 6'8. He can dribble the ball better than most guys his size. Teams will draft him to set up other big guys with his incredible inside passing ability.
He isn't gonna be a big scorer, but he wasn't at KU. I see him as a career 6th man in the NBA (but a damn good one eventually).
JayCeph (anonymous) says…
Who know's what you know? Heck, I don't even know what I don't know, you know?
There are a certain set of known knowns and there are some simple things that we know we know. There are also some other things that we know we don't know. However, there are just too many things we don't know we don't know.
So, I guess you have to play the game with the team you have, not the one you want. Isn't that right? Oh, hell, I don't know...
BigTrav (anonymous) says…
The broken promises thing, sounds pretty ridiculous if you ask me. The Roy Horse has been beatin to death and then some. I'm sure every single person who ever has posted on this board has broken their word before. It's like being the Camera man in an adult feature film, you'd be the guy that says "I have the greatest job in the world and would never give it up" Then one day the lead actor doesn't show up and they ask you to fill in. I'd bet most of you wouldn't hesitate in giving up your job!
Sorry, I thought it was a pretty good analogy. :)
blogthis (anonymous) says…
Stujayhawk:
Where were you when he turned the ball over 91 times
this past year?
He cannot dribble the ball no matter what his size.
mariofan11 (anonymous) says…
"I'm going to be at KU for three years and get my degree." Just another case of an athlete saying something and not staying true to his word.
See ya Julian.
I'm excited about the guys that stuck with thier commitment to the KU program.
shank11 (anonymous) says…
Wayne Simien was a complete player. How many minutes was he getting in the NBA when he was healthy. Big mistake here, but how do you tell a 19 year old anything. Sorry to see you go J.W.
JayCeph (anonymous) says…
What do you do with a drunken sailor?
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
You know why this HURTS all fans?
Because at Kansas we LOVE our players. We identify with them. The vast majority are here four years and they grow on us and we feel they are family. Heck, these guys say KU is family. Hence, they really project that to us.
This is why it hurts. But, we are the adults and we must stand and applaud and say "hooray"! Why? Because we are FAMILY and love them as our own sons.
So, even though it stings and even though he DID say this and that it is our duty as KU fans and supporter of this great university to not hate but to appreciate!
bevy (anonymous) says…
Why in the world wouldn't he take this chance? Better to go now and make some $$$ than stay here and possibly get hurt and NEVER make the NBA. Sure, we'll miss him. But we've got plenty more talent where he came from.
Good Luck, Julian! Make us proud in the big show!
martyks (anonymous) says…
Good luck to you Julian. Thanks for coming to KU and being a Jayhawk. We'll miss you.
emeryhawk (anonymous) says…
I don't think people should be branding Julian a liar because he decided to declare. People read too much into what he said right after the UCLA loss. I don't know how many people on this board played sports, and I'm sure very few if any played at Julian's level, but losing at any level hurts and your mind isn't at its best right afterwards. People say a lot of things right after an emotional, season-ending loss. Julian almost undoubtedly meant it when he said he was staying. Then he thought about it for a few weeks and changed his mind. He changed his mind; he isn't a liar. There's a difference.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Millions of dollars would make each and every person on here change his/her mind. You're lying if you deny that. An education is something he can get later. This is an opportunity that millions dream about, and I'm extremely happy that Julian gets a chance. I can't wait to watch him in the NBA. He's been awesome to watch at KU, and he deserves this opportunity. So, quit whining and cheer on the remaining members of the team.
86finalfour (anonymous) says…
With the Big 12 looking weaker with the departure of Gillespie and Huggins, I think it played a part in Wright's change of heart last week. How could Wright get excited about competing in a weaker Big 12 next year?
I think scheduling (non-conference) will play a huge role for Kansas Basketball in the coming years. The administration should replace home games against patsies with tougher road games (Big East, ACC, SEC schools). It may bring in less revenue but it will give the Hawks a more realistic shot at a title. As the old adage goes, coaches win games but administrations win championships.
scottku1 (anonymous) says…
Mariofan11---------
Hey Julian is human. He can change his mind. He has to make the best decision for himself. Not us(the fans). Lets move on with life.
guymon44rocks (anonymous) says…
he will struggle the first three years then he will shine like a star
frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says…
mariofan11- I agree with your sentiment. I feel like no one honors their word anymore but I have a hard time faulting Ju for chasing his dream. i wish this kid knew how much he meant to everyone! not for selfish fan-type reasons that translate to wins/losses but for how great he treated kids while signing autographs after the games.
i will miss you Julian... A LOT :- (
APDJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Emery...you are smoking crack...if Wright, Rush, Arthur and Collins ALL leave, we are dessimated man! We one the Big12 by ONE game this year with all of that talent. WAke up idiot.
KU is on it's way DOWN!!!
KBReyn06 (anonymous) says…
i'm looking forward to seeing guys like Aldrich and Reed come to KU. And i really appreciate Russ Rob, Darnell, and Kaun. Good to really good players that stay all four years seem to be more valuable than great players that stay one to two. Now days, when players are leaving early, it will really pay to have those four year players around to give a team stability. Its just too bad that a guy like Julian won't even be around for three.
KURUSH1530 (anonymous) says…
Julian is going somewhere between the 3rd-7th pick..
emeryhawk (anonymous) says…
APD has been spouting negative garbage all year, so I'm not going to give that too much thought. I think he means "decimated."
Either way, if you look around the Big 12, we can compete even with a depleted roster. It's going to suck a lot more than watching the great team I was expecting to come back next year, but at worst we will be solid in a rebuilding year. If Mario leaves on top of everyone else I'll start panicking. Rivals.com said it earlier this year: Mario would be putting up big numbers on another team. One reason a lot of our guys have put up modest stats this year is that we are so talented, but that shouldn't fool people into believing that guys like Mario or even RussRob can't score more if the pressure is on them. I like the way Darnell looks and a healthy Kaun can contribute. My point: even if the worst happens, a program like KU is insured with quality back ups and the ability to recruit blue chippers on reputation alone.
frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says…
APD needs some English 101...
dessimated = decimated
one the = won the
on it's = on its.
phoenix_phog (anonymous) says…
The only good thing about this is we loose the only player that made me nervous when he had the ball. Julian's game definitely needed a year of polishing. I understand the whole money aspect but I don't understand players coming to a program like KANSAS and being content with a shortened career that never even sniffed a national championship.
I completely agree with "rohdek ", I thought for sure this class would be hoisting that trophy in 2-3 years. I'm optomistic that it is still possible.
Good luck Julian..........good luck getting off the bench. You QUIT one year too early.
cklarock (anonymous) says…
Good luck, Julian-- you deserve a lifetime of success, and I know you'll get it!
stujayhawk (anonymous) says…
Is anybody else a little nervous about Cole Aldrich?
I mean, i'm glad KU is getting another McDonald's AA, but from what I've seen of him (some clips from high school, too), I can't see his potential.
Best of luck Julian! You were one of my favorites in college and will definately be on my team in nxt years NBA 2k8 game! lol
Don't forget your fans!
P.S.
Go to Boston, Pierce could definately use your help.
frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says…
stu- I have already started calling him Cole Chenowith. He looks very lazy and out of shape IMO. Not what you like to see from a kid who could actually compete for a starting position his freshman year.
I hope I'm wrong about him but feel confident that I am right. If you read this Cole-- please get in the gym and make an a** out of me! Hard work is the only thing that will get you where you need to go.
WisconsinJayhawk (anonymous) says…
" 'I'm going to be at KU for three years and get my degree.' Just another case of an athlete saying something and not staying true to his word. "
Its called seeing an unexpected opportunity and changing your mind. Just because you change your major doesn't mean your a LIAR-- it means things have changed, a better avenue opened up for you to prosper. Same for JuJu. At least he was intererested in staying! But it was a chance of a lifetime, staying another year would NOT move him up in the draft.
And on top of it all, he's a smart kid who loves KU, has the brains to have graduated in 3 yrs (could BR graduate in 10?) and I'll bet money he'll get his KU degree sooner rather than later.
Lets bring in more like this guy.
hawkfan4life (anonymous) says…
Julian is a liar, no matter how you see it. He lied about staying and he lied about leaving for the money. It's all about the money. He said its about taking his game to the next level, but that isn't true. Taking his game to the next level would involve coming back next year, putting on some much needed muscle, learning to value ball possession, developing the ability to calm down in clutch situations, just working toward being a complete player and winning a title. He is jumping 2 or 3 levels above where he should be. And his parents are tripping on this too, the money is just too tempting. He could go 10-15, but if he stayed, then what? Guaranteen top five next year and that's even more money. Am I mad - nope. I'd probably do the same thing. Just wish he hadn't lied about it, that's all. Go get the money JU, enjoy spending it. I enjoyed you while you were a Jayhawk!
frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says…
One question- why is this guy staying then?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007...
frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says…
Whoops- Here is the second part that I mean to post:
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/college...
KUGreenMachine (anonymous) says…
obviously its about the money...it's sad to see him go. he's going to be an amazing player eventually, even if its not for another couple of years...he will probably be a dud the first year or two...good luck to him....see ya rush, and whomever else leaves...we're screwed...
Kam_Fong_as_Chin_Ho (anonymous) says…
Smart move. You can always go back to college, but the NBA only knocks once. Better to make the move now rather than stick around KU for another year and take the risk of getting injured. You will be missed, but I wish you great success. Thanks for making the Jayhawks games exciting.
rtjayhawk (anonymous) says…
It's very sad to see him go. I wish him the best of luck. I think (hoping as well) that Arthur can fit in and dominate like we all thought he would when he came out of HS.
Good luck Julian! Let's go Hawks!
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
Several observations:
1. Julian Wright did not break any promise to me;
2. It is up to him to decide when he goes to the NBA and he does not owe anything to me (or anyone else);
3. If they are willing to take him as a lottery pick, then it is time to go and get paid the money. I think he has a financial responsibility to himself to go if he is a lottery pick to take the money to avoid injury;
4. Further, if I understand it correctly, he is not hiring an agent and can change his mind if it does not look like he will be a lottery pick;
5. There seem to be some people giving up on next years season or saying KU is in trouble. It is April. There is no reason to panic. There is plenty of talent on this team even if more players do leave;
6. KU will be just fine. This is not that big of a surprise.
kc_wildfire (anonymous) says…
Definitely a mistake.
He needs at least one more year to refine his game, get bigger and stronger.
He won't do anything his first few seasons in the NBA and I have serious doubts that he will ever make the kind of impact that a lot of people are talking about on here.
Sparko (anonymous) says…
Julian's first responsibility is to himself and family. He is a thrilling athlete. Another year would have been great--might still be. But you have to take the millions. College basketball is a business too. Ask CBS when they made the #1 seed a road team to the #2 seed. Julian has all the love and respect I can give him. Good luck, man--thanks for the no-look passes!
kjhkcapn (anonymous) says…
Man, I really wanted to watch Julian for another year. Yeah, I know I could watch him in the pros, eventually, but they hardly even try in the NBA; I can't watch without falling asleep.
Rock Chalk,
Capn
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says…
Hawkfn4life...
lie[1,intransitive verb]lie[2,noun]lie[3,verb]lie[4,noun]LieLie[1]big liegive[1,verb]lie bylie detector
Main Entry: 3lie
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): lied; ly*ing /'lI-i[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lEogan; akin to Old High German liogan to lie, Old Church Slavic lugati
intransitive verb
1 : to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
The above is the definition of a lie. To make an untrue statement is NOT a lie, unless there is intent to be deceitful. If you were in a class and raised your hand to answer a question and, for example, made the statement, "Abraham Lincoln was the 14th President of the US". This is not a lie, this is just an untrue statement. You had no intent to deceive.
So with regard to your statement, "Julian is a liar, no matter how you see it. He lied about staying...
You're wrong. Same goes for you Roy haters who said he lied. Both made decisions, were confronted with NEW circumstances, then made a different decision--all without intent to be deceitful.
Get it right...
I suppose there's going to be those calling Julian a traitor now. Sad, people. Very sad.
jimjones (anonymous) says…
Wright, Chalmers, & Rush. I don't blame them for leaving; Self has nothing to offer Too bad he didn't leave instead of them. KU basketball is over until he leaves!
phoenix_phog (anonymous) says…
Take 2:
All hurt feelings aside, Wright did need another year at Kansas and there is a chance he could still have one. He needs to get bigger, learn composure and improve his all around game. But who knows, maybe he is ready. The NBA's style of game is more reckless than college and Julian has a huge upside and mad potential. He was a lot of fun to watch when he had his head in the right place.
Good luck Julian..........I hope you get drafted by the Suns!
phoenix_phog (anonymous) says…
jross - you're a tool! Thanks for educating all of us on what a lie is. I some what see your view on Julian's statement but not Roy's. Roy said on national television, "I don't give a s**t about North Carolina!" We all know that was a lie!
jimjones - Self is a recruiting machine! I have never seen Roy pull in the talent Self has and everyone knows he will continue too. No one would be talking about Wright if Self never took the job. You wouldn't be enjoying any of the players we have right now if it wasn't for Self. Who would you rather have gotten the job, Tom Crean???!!
jimjones (anonymous) says…
"recruiting machine" Please, you can't be serious. He's at KANSAS, how hard could it be? Self has a real lack of influence with his players. How about naming a player who has truly reached their potential under Self!
The problem will Bill Self coached teams is lack of discipline on the court. In 4 NCAA tournament games, Kansas averaged 16 turnovers/game (20 in their last 2 games). Against UCLA, Mario Chalmers had 7 turnovers. You can't win games when your guards turns it over that many times. And Self just kept letting him do it. Chalmers played 33 minutes, had 7 turnovers and went 1-8 from the field.
Kansas also takes bad shots. Against UCLA, KU put up 56 shots. UCLA only shot 45 FG. But they were better shots, and they got the ball inside and drew fouls as well. If Kansas has an off shooting night, like they did in this game, the only thing they have to fall back on is the hope that the other teams shoots poorly as well.
When you play the helter-skelter street ball that Self plays, you can look great in overwhelming teams with your athleticism (ie the Phi Slamma Jamma teams of the 1980s). But you are also prone to upset when you run into a well coached team with good talent. Its a style of play that its going to be very hard to win 6 straight NCAA tournament games with - that's why you will never see Bill Self win a national championship.
Now we're going to lose three key players and we're starting over again. Recruiting won't get easier with his record in the NCAA and that's what it's really about.
dlshaw74 (anonymous) says…
bring_back_danny you mentioned a big mistake. Go figure. Gee Julian you are making a HUGE mistake. Lottery pick,guranteed money,endorsements,millions of jack. Yeah big mistake. Good for you Julian. Show me the money. Go get the money son. You are making the best move you can for you and your family. Be wise son when you make your millions. Don't be dumb. Make KU proud. Oh one other thing, when you make your millions remember to send some jack back to good old KU.
tankshot (anonymous) says…
screw that the guy lied to us all. screw him, we are better without him
wincojhawk (anonymous) says…
And the dominoes begin to fall.....who's next???
phoenix_phog (anonymous) says…
My friend sitting next to me is an Illinois fan. He can name 5 or 6 players that reached their potential under Self. Weber helped for 1 year but Self got them there and Illinois isn't the same as Kansas. Also, if it wasn't for Self, Wright and Collins would be playing for Illinois right now. Self recruits big time talent, period!
What it's really about is talented players want to play with other talented players. We were a #1 seed and one game away from the final four. There are a few unsigned McDonald's all americans that would love to fill Wright and maybe Rush's spot on our roster! Self will get his, people said Roy couldn't win it and look what happened.
You said Self has nothing to offer and you're dead wrong! Recruiting is his best quality and I'm letting you know that. I didn't say anything about his in game coaching, although you really should cut him some slack and give him credit for beating Florida, barely loosing to A&M, making two thrilling comebacks against Texas, and hanging tough against S. Illinois. Not to mention the stingy defense he gets his players to play and you can't do that without discipline.
jaypul (anonymous) says…
Waa Waa!!! You "fans" that say "he's making a big mistake" are selfish. Not only would you run every NBA team into the ground if you were scouts, you're not even smart enough to be happy for a Jayhawk when they do something positive.
Who the hell cares what his grades are like. Talking about his degree in communications is like talking about me and my future in the coed basketball league. Get over "getting your degree". Thats not why most of these kids come to school and what good would it do him anyway?
I mean seriously, I really don't see his quality of life improving if he sticks around to get a worthless piece of paper. I'm embarassed to be a Jayhawk fan if I'm associated with most of you jackasses that have left comments.
I'm not afraid to say, you guys are idiots.
Good Luck Julian and as a true Jayhawk Fan I am extremely happy for you.
97jhawk (anonymous) says…
How can he say that money is not a motivator? You've got to be kidding me Julian. That is such crap. Stop BS'n everyone and keep it real 'n da field. Fo' shizzle my nizzle. Unbelievable. So, if he was being offered only $60,000, but had the opportunity to go to the NBA early he would? Whatever....of course he wouldn't. Point in case. So, saying that money is not a motivator is such a load. Also, if it was not a motivator, waiting one more year or ever two more would not really have an adverse affect on his draft scenario with the NBA. Without money, the NBA wouldn't exist today in professional sports. It'd just be the ABL, which no one really cares about.
C'mon JuJu, it's like the old saying goes, "If it don't make dollaz it don't make sense!!" Can't pull one over on us.
At least Julian did have the decency to announce his enrollment to the NBA draft from the KU campus unlike some other players before him....**cough-cough** Paul Pierce **cough-cough**
rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says…
The way i see it, this lightens the blow a little bit for next year. If julian were to stay for his junior year, after next year we would be replacing him, Rush, and Arthur. At least now we have the chance to recruit some high quality 08 guys before they all sign. Romero Osby would be a great get for KU, has a game very similar to that of Ju. I still see KU as being a top 10 team in 07-08, and don't put a final four run past them. Maybe with Ju gone, brandon will step up and be our consistent scorer and go-to guy.
Muska (anonymous) says…
First and foremost...APD and JimJones, shouldn't you be posting on powercat.com or something? APD...saying KU is going down...look at your kitties over in Manhattan! What a joke...
Bill Self is and will continue to be one of the best coaches in the business until he retires. It's going to take a National Championship to make most of you half-witted haters realize that he is legit, but don't worry, soon enough that time will come. I am halfway through college here at KU and have all the confidence in the world that we'll win a 'chip before I graduate in a couple of years. APD and JimJones, why don't you two put your anal beads back in, because we all know that makes you more comfortable when things are up your butt (like what KU does to state every year...). Who knows? Maybe it will get you two to keep your lame comments inside of your own two less than intelligent minds.
As for Julian, good luck. I enjoyed every minute (except one against Colorado) watching you in the Fieldhouse these past two seasons. If it is truly not the money you are interested in, then I sincerely hope you find whatever it is you are looking for. Hell, I'm a diehard Jayhawk, and want you to stay for selfish reasons, but passing on that opportunity would be silly. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors, we will all be watching and cheering for you.
On an off topic note...did anybody hear Bill Walker's interview after the Frank Martin inaugural press conference(a joke on its' own)? He actually very articulate and like a very decent guy, it's just a shame he commited to a crappy school out in the middle of nowhere. Let's face it, Manhattan is in the boonies, a po-dunk college town at best, and Walker and Beasley are probably the two best players that program will ever see. Sad they will have a terrible and inexperienced coach at the helm, one who probably won't fare any better than Huggins in his first year. Frank Martin, thank you for the upcoming hilarity that is going to ensue. I'll go get my popcorn.
remember kitties...next year marks our silver anniversary! If I were you I would hope your futile "blackout" works a little better this time around in Bramlage...but we all truly know... it won't.
Rock Chalk
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
Somebody here said JW will go between 3-7. JW himself said 10-16. I find it quite a stretch he would go 3-7 with the guys who have declared thus far.
jaybate (anonymous) says…
I do believe there's a need for fans to understand that the college game is not only full of coach speak, but also player speak. Coaches don't tell the truth unless it serves their purpose. Players don't tell the truth unless it serves their purpose.
Why?
Because its about the money.
Coaches are now making $1-2-3 mill per year.
Players in the lottery are making huge bills and players lower in the first round are making slightly less than huge bills.
So: coaches and players lie. They lie all the time. They lie about practically everything that it is in their interest to lie about.
Why does this surprise people?
Movie stars lie. Politicians lie. CEOs lie. Lawyers lie.
Now I don't mean they all lie in ways that are violations of the law. Not so many of them do that, er, well, again, not unless they need to to save their skins.
They all tell public relations lies.
Good college basketball players with a strong chance to be high draft picks in the pros are groomed and coached and trained and managed to manage the media--to say only what is in their best interests to say. It is player speak. And many of them have been taught player speak from junior high on by their handlers/advisors.
And the media goes along with the player speak to maintain access...just as the national news media goes along with politician speak to maintain access in Washington DC.
The coaches, the players and the media are in a collaborative process. Coaches throw just enough quotes each day to allow the reporters to write enough column inches and broadcasters to broadcast 30 second bites to create their content. In exchange, the media does not ask the tough, conflicting question. The media agrees not to probe too deep. In this live and let live way, the game is promoted daily to keep the seats filled, the ad slots filled and everyone's salaries rising with the cost of living or better.
This is how it is.
jaybate (anonymous) says…
No one gets in a card game for money and tells what he has in his hand. No one expects anyone else at the table to tell what they have in their hand. Some players say nothing and hide all their tells. Some players do alot of bluffing. But no one at a card game with money at stake reveals their hand.
College basketball is drenched in big money. The University makes big money from the game. The Chancellor's alumi donors want to see winners and so the Chancellor is playing for money. The AD has only one purpose--to make sure the athletic program makes whatever big money there is to be made. He's playing for big money. The coach is coaching for big money and can be fired at any moment, so he's playing for money. And last but not least, the players--the truly talented ones--are playing for huuuuuge money.
The game of college basketball survives--barely--inside the whirlwind of big money. There just are these magnificient moments during the season, especially the last third of the season, when the game and the coaches and the players rise above the big money briefly and enter the rarified atmosphere of great basketball competition. The coaches and players love it. The fans love it. The media loves it. The NBA loves it...
And then the season passes and the reality of the big money reclaims center stage in the lives of the coaches and players and chancellors and ADs and the NBA and advisors and so on.
To survive in this game caught in the whirlwind of big money, almost everyone lies however much it is in their interest to lie. How can they not? As Bill Self himself says: it beats working. Making millions and millions of dollars, as coaches, and betting on the come on millions and millions of dollars as players, is too sweet to let something like the truth come between themselves and the gravy train--at least that's how it appears.
PR techniques can polish a turd, but its still a turd after the buff and wax of half truths and lies. Further, there's ultimately neither a good future, nor big money in polishing turds.
But polishing charismatic coaches and amazingly gifted young men with the half truths and lies of public relations? Now there is a future in THAT and there is BIG, BIG money in it too. PR techniques thrive in those cases.
BCRavenJHawkfan (anonymous) says…
The NBA is the perfect place. The NBA is all about ME rather than TEAM. Wright need not worry about ball handling as double dribble and walking are not called in the NBA. Poor free throw shooting is the norm in the league as well, so he should fit in even more. And it should be interesting to see Lebron James toss him around like a rag doll. I say get your gym bag packed, get going, and don't let the Phog hit you in the @$$ on the way out.
fabio (anonymous) says…
You had me scared Emery.
hawkitup (anonymous) says…
It makes no sense to me. Did you guys read the article on ESPN? He says its not about the money and he's not expecting to play much the first couple of years. Then, why in the world are you leaving!?!?! i understand he's making some guaranteed cash but at least say its about the MONEY or something! Don't feed me this junk about it not being about the money and you don't expect to play much for a couple of years when you could have some real playing time and a possible National Championship next year! It just makes no sense!
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
For those of you mentioning the money thing, I completely agree with you. If he can make $1 million or more per year guaranteed, then he should go. The problem with those who are posting that "if you had that money in front of you, you would change your mind" ignores the fact that Julian just said, in his press conference that it wasn't about money. I believe these to be the words of a young man who thinks that people will look down on him for getting a job that pays him well. He mentioned in his press conference that it was about (in part) "looking at what is best for his family." What benefit does the family get from having a son, brother, nephew, cousin in the NBA other than the possible financial benefit? What, they get a self-esteem boost? Bragging rights about how they are related to an NBA player? Come on Julian, you have every right to go, but admit it, it IS about the money. It's OK for it to be, just don't leave on a lie.
I stand by my post on another thread. I don't think he is a lottery pick. I didn't see a lottery pick play for KU at any point this season, there were a couple of sniffs, but that is about it. Watch for the mystery "foreign" players to start showing up on draft boards (or, more likely, in the spots between Oden/Durant and Julian). Look at the "draft services" (those aren't NBA scouts), too few of those tough-to-say names on the list right now. Over two months to the draft, watch the names of people you have never heard of get called on draft day. In the end, it might be irrelevant, he will go first round and that is guaranteed $... just admit it Julian.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
I only have a few comments......Instead of saying you gonna stay three years just say I have no comment. Or say something like 'I'd like to finish my degree, but right now I'm focused on the season no comment.'
The thing that pisses me off is Julian saying it's not about the money. WTF? He said it was about advancing and playing on the next level, not the money. Well you can come back another year or two and fall to the second round or not get drafted and become a free agent and still advance to next level and play ball. Gilbert Arenas didn't get drafted, I think he advanced to the next level and is playing ball.
Julian even said that when he looked at his stock he saw he was anywhere from 10th to 15th. That is the lottery slots and any fan knows how the union has deals set up for guaranteed money. The higher your picked the more money and more guaranteed money. 2nd round doesn't guarantee a spot on the team. so yes it was about the money! Just tell it like it is. If he can lie like that then I have to doubt all the things he said before weren't just smoke up our butts.
Yeah he has every right to change his mind, and it probably is his best interest to go pro, but just don't say stupid crap like 'I'm not motivated by money.' And if your asked about going pro just say you have have no freakin comment.
The only player I have been mad at for leaving KU early was Drew Gooden because he wasn't ready and he said he was going to work hard the rest of his junior year and finish that summer. Two days later Drew Gooden was spotted on TRL making a request during the school week. Way to finish strong Drew. I think it's funny that Drew bounced around like a foster child his first few years.
Fans only ask for 4 years so if a player doesn't give 4 years or at least help deliver a championship or be an All American then I don't think fans have to give lifetime support. I stopped supporting Dean Smith.
Good Luck Julian. You'll need it.
P.S What will you do if you have an injury like Jason Willams or Bobby Hurley or any other injury? Guess we'll see you back in school then won't we.
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
Babboy, just to clarify, he IS signing an agent, just not until closer to the draft. Even Self reiterated this at the press conference and said he was waiting to choose a good agent, not to keep the chance that he was returning. Unless they did a 180 after I turned it off (why are these announcements such big press conferences... call the local paper and say " I am declaring for the draft") he isn't holding on to the possibility of return.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Just to clarify...I know Dean stayed 4 years and was on the championship team. I stopped supporting him for other reasons.
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
Kurtz... and what if he has that career ending injury (and let's be realistic, Jay Williams injury was non-basketball related) in a Kansas Jayhawk uniform?
I agree with you wholeheartedly on calling on Julian's words TODAY. It is about the money. He said so many things that contradicted that "not about the money" comment. Thing is, it is OK Julian. Say "I have a chance to make a lot of money doing what I love and don't want to take the risk of staying in college... I can and will finish college as time permits." Can someone just be honest!
wiltstilt (anonymous) says…
jimjones, thanks for the insight.
i can't even begin to address all the nonsensical information in your last post.
tomike (anonymous) says…
I have not finished reading all the comments here. So I would like to appologize if anyone else has said this.
Julian has always hoped he could play position 3 and it will be his future position in NBA. I believe he is right. But KU had not played him at 3 very much (I would say not at all). I do not think it is very responsible considering Julian's future. So he made the right decision before it was too late. (He has to develop his skills at 3 when he is still very young.)
I love Self but I have to say that it was not a good move to recruit Rush even though I love Rush also. It has more or less forced Micah to leave, and has limited Julian's chance to play at 3. The team was in a better shape before Rush came (it was not Rush's fault.)
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Jayhawks71....
Jason Williams wasn't basketball related. Exactly, anything in life can happen. Shawn Livingston this year? Who knows. Point is if he has an injury early in his career he will only have a contract that is short term 2 to 3 years and probably won't collect all depending on the injury. Could he live another 50 or 60 years on that money? Nope. He'd have to go back to school or find another job.
That is why I don't think you should use the thought of injury in your decison. Even if you go pro and get that money you can STILL get injured and will need more money. How many players stayed a 4th year and had a career ending injury?
Kenyon Martin broke his leg and fell in the draft yes. But, because he was a good player he had a successful career and makes good money. Even though he fell in the draft he was still able to 'advance to the next level and play ball.'
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says…
These comments are an embarrassing display from Kansas fans. Such negativity for one of your own! Someone who played for US!
I don't like Julian's leaving any more than the rest of you. But I'll be damned before I utter one spiteful word about a fine young man who gave his heart to this school. Julian chose Kansas. He could have been anywhere. He's young and impressionable and perhaps fell victim to some bad information from people whispering in his ear. Or at least this is what we tell ourselves to help the pain of his leaving. But to go the additional step and call him a liar, or to say he won't do well, or he deceived us...I can't believe you are Kansas fans. If you are, I want nothing to do with that part of KU history.
fan408785 (anonymous) says…
jaypul
jlshaw74
jross1972
Sparko
BABBOY
rtjayhawk
& everyone else echoing the their sentiment.
The sentiment that they are fans, that they love KU basketball, and truly cheer for the players and coaches who year in and out provide us with great entertainment.
It's a pleasure to read your comments.
The rest of you,
How can you know what is best for someone you know mostly from T.V., the internet, what you read, hear, or if are lucky watch from the stands?
Do you actually believe YOUR knowledge of THEIR situation or role in the progam surpasses theirs?
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Hey I give my heart to KU and my hear rooting for KU sports and players like Julian. I also gave my money. As a matter of fact I'm still paying loans for my education. How much is Julian paying? He is gonna make some big money so I doubt he is gonna be crying over what people are saying on here.
I just don't like hearing BS about it not being about the money. Julian is gonna make big money so I'm not crying for him. If he can't handle what were saying then he isn't ready for the NBA. You know what there gonna tell him on the court during games as a rookie? Do you know how he might get ripped in the paper by writers because he is making millions and they expect results?
If he can't take this then the NBA is not for him.
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
kurtz-
Jay Williams was set for life if he had a career ending basketball injury. He violated the terms of his contract, and in the end, the Bulls gave him some money even though they didn't have to.
And so what if Julian would have to go back to school (which he claims he is going to finish anyway); he would go back to school. He has one year to complete. You don't think that even 1/10th of his salary (if he gets permanently inujured on the 8th game of his pro career) would cover tuition for a year at KU!?!?!?
The probability of having an injury that amounts to making ZERO dollars as a pro athlete increases with return to college. This logic doesn't require even a basic course in probability.
Your comment "Point is if he has an injury early in his career he will only have a contract that is short term 2 to 3 years and probably won't collect all depending on the injury." makes no sense. If he goes NEXT year he still has a rookie contract to fulfill. Instead, he leaves now and year 1 is done at the point where he would be entering the draft. He gets the "big deal" a year sooner if he proves himself. If he stayed at KU another year, that isn't going to make his pro career that much better. He has to prove it on the next level to get that big contract. Leaving now eliminates the probability of getting injured in a college basketball game (which makes him essentially, zero dollars).
My only complaint besides him saying it isn't about money, when it is... is that I don't think he is a lottery pick. If he is fine with that, as long as he is a first rounder, then go, but the pickins are slim if Julian goes in the top half of the first round.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Jason Williams is set for life? I didn't know that. I have read of people older and wiser who won the lotto jackpot and it didn't last them. Throw money at a 20 year old and he might not have it saved
Yeah if Julian is injured he could cover the cost of tuition, but he'd be back at school. I just don't think injuries are something you should consider when deciding to go pro. You should weigh the pros and cons. The likely hood of getting injured or just tankin in your Junior year is very unlikely. The money will still be there. Julian said he isn't ready to play right now, he know's it is a work in progress. Then whey would anyone draft someone with that much confidence in the top half of the draft?
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Did anyone read the article on ESPN about how the players in the Final Four this year weren't big recruits outside off Oden? Most were lower than top 50 coming out of highschool. I was surprised at how Florida's players didn't have much hype at all out of highschool.
Maybe Self should recruit some players that don't have the hype so they aren't asked about the NBA from day 1 that they get to campus. That way we can get three years and have a team come together with talent and experience instead of being a farm team for the NBA.
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says…
fan408785...
From one true fan to another. Thank you so much for articulating your sentiment. The reason why the Jayhawk Spirit is alive and well is because there are great stewards of if, and you are certainly among those. Christ himself said "The poor you will always have with you." I assume that this includes some Kansas fans as well.
Again, none of us are necessarily taking the position that we are happy about Julian's going pro (I personally think it hurts us beyond measure for next season); however, to find the graciousness to thank an individual for their contribution to this school should not take an act of God.
It's just embarrassing!
jimjones (anonymous) says…
phoenix_phog,
No one had more All-Americans than Roy. Another way to say it is, "No one wasted more All-Americans than Roy." Self is catching up quickly though. Love KU - don't care for Self as a coach. If you have a different opinion, that's fine. But be a man and be able to handle reading someone else's opinion.
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
Read what I typed. Jay Williams would have been set for life had he had a basketball injury. Anyone can make bad money decisions. Julian Wright will have an accountant; his money will be making him money early on. As for Jay Williams, he either has a degree from Duke University or was one year short (I am almost certain that he graduated). If you are making the "stay in school for a degree" argument, it will fall on deaf ear. What job is Julian going to get that will pay him over a million a year? What job is he going to get with a college degree that he will make that money in less than 10 years (100k/yr).
I agreed with you; it is about money and he should just be honest that money is a big factor. For the last time, Julian, you are going to make a lot of money provided you get picked in the first round, there is no need to be ashamed and lie and say that it isn't about money.
You sure as heck should weigh the probability of injury in making your decision to become a pro athlete. Perhaps it is a good thing you aren't going pro. If you are referring to the "top half" of the draft as being the first round (given that there are two rounds), then he would be a fool not to leave for guaranteed money.
Next, will be telling me Greg Oden should go back to OSU to improve his draft position?
Lebowski (anonymous) says…
Yeah, but do you really give a crap about any loser that doesn't know what to do with millions of dollars? I don't. Jason Williams SHOULD have been set for life. If he screws that up, screw him. I have NO sympathy.
Julian helped his pocketbook, but blew away any chances of having the same honor as many other greats who played ball at KU. In the end, Julian will be largely an afterthought because he didn't achieve anything special. I'm sure he doesn't give a crap, hence he's splitting.
Julian's going to end up a very good NBA player. That doesn't mean he was going to ever dominate at KU, and in the end, he's very replacable, imo. This means more of an emergence from Darrell Arthur, a more immediate impact from Aldrich, and good minutes for the Senior frontcourt. It'll be different, but this is college basketball. Change is constant.
jayhawks71 (anonymous) says…
Lebowski, Jay Williams didn't have millions of dollars. He had a contract for millions that was nullified when he nearly killed himself on a crotch rocket. He made a bad decision and injured himself to the extent that he cannot play basketball. If you say "screw him" to a guy that was in an accident, regardless of how silly it might have been for him to be out on that bike, you should consider turning your membership in the human race. Geesh!
Have someone let us know if (god forbid) you are even in an accident that leaves you paralyzed and on disability so we can point at you and feel no sympathy.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Read my post. I didn't say stay in school. I said you shouldn't consider injuries in your decision and don't BS people about it not being about the money. If your gonna consider injuries and be pesimisstic and fearful about the highly unlikely then Oden should definelty leave because:
Nuclear war could happen and that would eliminate more than just the money he could make.
Congress could bring back the draft.
The NBA could go on lock out if he waits a few more years and really hurt these pro prospects in college.
Jross...? There are thousands of former KU students and fans that have provided more to KU than Julian ever could have. Basketball is a sport and entertainment. We really don't owe him that much. There is more to life. I really don't think God is gonna look down on people who don't thank Julian.
How bout all the doctors and researchers that graduated at KU and provide much more important things to society?
jaybate (anonymous) says…
Remember, Julian can always go play hoops for the luv of the game on the playgrounds of Chicago AFTER he banks $10-20M. There's no age limit in the city leagues.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
City leagues on the playgrounds of Chicago? Sounds like a good place to get shot if your driving a nice car and banked $10 million.
I'd go to Europe instead and make $100K plus a year. Much safer.
kutravis (anonymous) says…
Here is a great article by Gary Parrish from cbs.sportsline.com
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/college...
I suspect if Parrish's comments hold true, then we should expect to see Rush bolt to the NBA as well.
fansincewilt (anonymous) says…
I am getting tired of the negative talk. Julian is a great player and Bill Self is a great coach. Julian is not rejecting Kansas by going pro. As a Jayhawk fan, I am really proud of him and I'm convinced we have a great coach. I hope Julian can show his stuff. I think we will be hearing a lot about this great athlete. I am now a Bull's fan and I'll probably be following his team as well. I think Julian is the next Jayhawk NBA star.
KURUSH1530 (anonymous) says…
Does anybody think Turgeon is a good hire for Texas A&M?
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
According to the KC star the top ten picks are guaranteed two year contracts. The article that KUtravis posted said that the number 5 pick gets $2.6 million the first year and it goes up some the next.
So say for two years Julian gets $6.6 million. Give Uncle Sam 40% and that leaves $3.96 million. Give the agent 5% ( I believe it is acutally higher) and that leaves 3.76 Milllion.
KU sports had an article about Hinrich being very smart with his money according to his financial advisor. Hinrich had a $2 million dollar home. Probability says Julian will buy a house worth this much, especially if he is drafted by a team on the Coast.
A $2 million dollar home at a 5% (generous) rate is 10,736 a month before taxes and homeowners. According to the Johnson County appraiser website taxes on a $1.5 million dollar home were $3,000 a month so Julian is going to have a $15,000 a month house payment or $180,000 a year. Just counting his house payment alone with the $3.76 million he has left he money will only last a little over 17 years.
This doesn't include money for cars, family, vaction, life insurance, and every athletes favorite "how am I gonna feed my family?" What if some woman comes along? Any guy can get taken for a ride. How much will an accountant cost? Ju's contract will not set him for life at all. He would have to be very smart and know how to manage his money. He was going to school for communications not business or finance.
So he has to hope he doesn't get cut like Kareem Rush or injured and dropped. Plus he still has to hope he gets drafted in the lottery. NBA scouts must be banking on the potential because he only averaged 12 points in college as a sophomore. In the NBA the worst players are the best college and European players.
How many Europeans will enter the draft the next few months and push Wright down in the draft? They are much better shooters and fundementally sound as the Olympics showed. If Wright goes late first round he will be on a good team and won't get to play like Wyane at Miami. That is what I believe got Kareem Rush cut. What does the lastest draft boards show for JU?
I hope for Julian's sake the scouts really do have him that high. I also think that if Julian finishes schoo it will be online like Shaq. Julian will be in the NBA summer league. If some team is gonna pay him $2.6 million I am almost positive they will have no interest in him being in Lawrence trying to finish up.
jhawk14 (anonymous) says…
First and foremost:
I wish for nothing but the best for Julian in the NBA and his career. I don't think he's ready quite yet, but he will eventually be an impact player in the league and all of the Jayhawk nation will be proud to call him one of us.
Second:
Here's to really hoping Brandon will stay... I personally don't think he will, but then again, I honestly thought Julian was going to stay...
Third:
I'm not sure if anyone has said this yet, but with Julian leaving that actually opens up one more scholarship for the up coming year. There are still a few very talented players that haven't committed yet (ie Patrick Patterson, Jai Lucas, Michael Sanchez) and we have seen how coach Self has landed some huge last minute recruits (Rush, Arthur). Who knows what will happen??
jhwk4life (anonymous) says…
Too bad but best of luck to you Julian, you'll be missed. Thanks for the great effort over the last two years.
CP (anonymous) says…
Smart move by Julian to jump off a sinking ship in Lawrence.
Take the money and run kid!!!
filmhawk (anonymous) says…
if i were julian - i'd join the harlem globetrotters. those guys are great.
rockchalk66 (anonymous) says…
I'm disappointed that Julian left, I hope he gets some nice playing time whereever he goes, Good luck Jolian.
justinryman (anonymous) says…
WOW with some of these comments above if I played for KU I'd leave too. You guys are fareweather man!!! Get over it, if you have great talent you are going to lose guys early. This isnt the Missouri Valley Conf. Its the Big12 and when you when the Big 12 back to back you are going to lose talent.
Good Luck Julian and anyone else on this great team that decides to go pro. Don't worry about the sour notes listed above, they are only jealous of your opportunity in life. take it!!!! live it!!!! and Good luck again!!!
pilot100 (anonymous) says…
Thank you Ju for all the great highlights
especially your Colorado dunk, I have it
on my DVD LOL.
kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says…
good luck julian, i hope u rock the nba just like u did here.
jsl2586 (anonymous) says…
i cant even imagine whos next.......Kleinman, maybe case only time will tell
kansas778 (anonymous) says…
It doesn't matter if he's NBA ready or not, his draft stock isn't going to go up any higher unless he comes back and has a monster season next year. He was inconsistent with the quality of his play, and another year like that would hurt his draft stock, so it was the right time to go. Having KU players go high in the draft is good for recruiting, don't worry, it'll work itself out.
rockchalk66 (anonymous) says…
I remember the year Drew Gooden left to go pro, That was a disappointing loss anybody else here agree??? We would have won it all if Gooden would have stayed that extra year.
86finalfour (anonymous) says…
With the Big 12 looking weaker with the departure of Gillespie and Huggins, I believe this played a big part in Julian's change of heart. How could playing lowly Big 12 North teams, night after night, come next January and February help Julian's draft status.
milehighhawker (anonymous) says…
Listen, this is the right move for Ju, he will be a lottery. Now, I don't think this move hurts us nearly as much as Rush leaving would hurt us. I would actually almost say we could be a more complete team without him giving the others behind him more pt. Wright was a defensive liability in many games and got pushed around by other 4's. You replace him with DJ or Arthur and you have either a great rebounder or great scorer. My starting lineup would be...
Robinson
Chalmers
Rush
Jackson
Arthur
Then you bring off the bench...
Collins
Case
Stewart
Aldrich
Kaun
That second team probably finishes at worst 2nd in big 12 play. I think we add more physicality and more defensive presence inside with this lineup anyways, plus you don't have people sitting the bench getting disappointed. Throw in Morningstar and Reed and you have a solid 2-3 rotation at 2 guard and small forward. If rush leaves that will be a problem because there isn't really a viable replacement for him defensively or rebounding. Who do you put in, Stewart, Morningstar??? I don't see them filling the void like we can fill the void left by Julian. I wish him well, but I think we will be just as good with or without him and more effective on the defensive end. My opinion only matters to me though I guess!
86finalfour (anonymous) says…
Collins should start at the point. He was injured throughout the end of the NCAA run and, in my opinion, the offense depended on him all season. He turned the season around this year toward the end of the Big 12. This is no knock against Robinson. I think he is invaluable in all the intangibles. But Collins, despite freshman mistakes which he should grow out of, gets the offense clicking. A healthy and more experienced Collins will be lethal for next year's club.
lozar34hawks (anonymous) says…
Julian....don't you want to achieve a ring / championship before you set another goal.
LSHobbs57 (anonymous) says…
Give the kid a break! He's a kid. You couldn't expect him to think and talk straight right after losing a tournament game! I understand his dilemma. He could also stay for his junior year and suffer an injury. Then where would he be? How many of the belly-achers on here would pass up an opportunity like this? I certainly do enjoy watching Julian play. If he does well, maybe I'll even start watching pro ball.
jaw7621 (anonymous) says…
Julian is doing what he believes is best for him and his family. I don't blame him for making this decision, regardless of whether or not he ends up regretting it. If he manages his money well, he could be set for life financially speaking. That doesn't mean he'll always be a millionaire, but he will have financial stability and that's a pretty nice thing for a young guy to have.
As for the team, KU will be fine. We have two solid guys coming in next year, one of whom (Aldrich) might be the best back-to-the-basket player that we've had since Simien graduated and the other of whom (Tyrell Reed) is a Kirk Hinrich clone (as far as I've read). KU will always have quality players.
I think the team needs to work HARD on its free-throw shooting and taking care of the ball against pressure defense. These are things that killed our chances against UCLA and improving them will make this a more complete team (even if we lose Rush and Wright). With Wright gone, we might actually be tougher inside (if a little less flashy), and we'll likely be less turnover prone as a result. Plus, I love the energy of Jackson who should earn more playing time next year, maybe even as a starter ahead of Kaun and Arthur (who might take a big leap forward of his own). Bottom line, even with a few guys leaving, I'm VERY excited for the potential of our team next season.
actorman (anonymous) says…
Gilbert Arenas didn't get drafted, I think he advanced to the next level and is playing ball.
____________________________________________________________
Gilbert Arenas was drafted in the second round by the Warriors.
As for Julian, I'm sad he's leaving, but I echo what others have said (including this last comment by jaw) that it might actually help the team overall, with improved free throw shooting, fewer turnovers and tougher defense inside. I also am bothered by Julian's comment about it not being about the money, and wish he'd just tell the truth. But despite that, I wish him the best and I'm thankful for a lot of great memories.
hawkfan4life (anonymous) says…
jross1972:
I have a lot of respect for you bro. That is because you are very intelligent and you make very good points on these threads all the time, but you're tripping on this one! Julian lied...he shouldn't have said that he was staying and then leave. And, he should just be real and say "I may never again have the opportunity to make this amount of money so... I am out!" I for one, would respect that a lot more. I don't blame him for leaving, but it's not going to make him a better player by leaving than it would if he were to stay. His game is going to the next level in pay only because riding the bench is definitely not a promotion from where he was as a Jayhawk.
megan08149 (anonymous) says…
He was such a good player and they could have gone far if they would have stuck it out... they could only get better and grow as a team, but I guess money is just that tempting and I think it was a huge mistake but I do hope things work out for him!
bmcmich1 (anonymous) says…
C'est la vie...the thing about Kansas is that you can lose a Julian Wright and not skip a beat. Do any of you see a problem with Robinson/Collins, Chalmers, Rush, Arthur, and Jackson?? I sure don't.
Now is about the time when we should all hope to God that Brandon Rush stays...
rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says…
Julian, you were one of my favorite players. I hope you do great in the NBA. But next time don't tell everyone that your 100% sure you're coming back if your not going too!
lozar34hawks (anonymous) says…
Screw Yao Ming...he shouldn't be in this league anyways. Cullison is the best player KU had and is doing well in NBA! least he stayed all 4 years! I support every KU player that are in the NBA and what they do is what they do! Cheapshot yao ming? oh wow. If i was Cullison, I'd do the same damn thing!
hometownhawk (anonymous) says…
jimjones, at least APD doesn't put so much effort into trying to convince everyone he's really a KU fan. You're just pathetic. Don't try to belittle people when they call you out for your ignorance and bitterness. Did your wife leave you to pursue Bill or something? If you're going to be an idiot, you have to deal with everyone calling you an idiot... because you are one.
jimjones (anonymous) says…
hometownhawk,
Stop embarrassing yourself, you're just making me laugh.
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says…
adp shut the f up!
philipolson (anonymous) says…
wow! longest posts ever. Julian must be good.
philipolson (anonymous) says…
rush and collins will leave. Rush is not a student. Collins is a gang member, missing his gang.
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says…
jross,great post!
Lebowski (anonymous) says…
Too much hand-holding going on here for my tastes. I'm not homophobic or anything, but geez, I feel like I walked in on a big orgy.
Philip... Well done. Anyone that didn't know you were a moron does now.
Choffman.. you lose "all respect"!! for someone because of a hard foul? Good god, tough crowd.
Obviously, you were never a jayhawk fan, so find your one of your own team's forums.
Jross, I love you, too. Will you marry me! Oh never mind, you have been used and abused on this site. :D
faceit (anonymous) says…
jross has several posting IDs
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says…
I only have one, thanks.
rockchalk66 (anonymous) says…
I hope Julian goes to a crappy team where he will actually get some playing time at least, I will still support him and not be so negitve over him leaving, Unlike everybody else, Good luck Julian , thank you for the 2 years.
kickazzkurtz (anonymous) says…
Green and Hibert from G town declared. I think that is 2 spots that Ju just fell.