Advertisement
Advertisement
San Jose, Calif. Kansas University's five starters each sat at a table in their own personal interview rooms, holding court with reporters for 30 minutes apiece Friday afternoon in HP Pavilion.
Three of the Jayhawks' five underclassmen faced questions about their futures.
That is ... will they stay in school or head to the NBA after this season?
"I made my decision before the year. It hasn't changed. I'm coming back (to KU)," said sophomore Julian Wright, who has been projected as a top-five pick by some experts in mock drafts.
Sophomore Brandon Rush, who considered leaving after his freshman year, stated: "After the season, I'll sit down and talk to my family, coach, see what he (coach Bill Self) is saying, what they all think."
Asked what the "magic number" would be for him to enter the draft, Rush said: "Top 20, but I'm not thinking about that now."
Sophomore Mario Chalmers, whose name has cropped up as a possible first-rounder, said: "I'm not thinking about the draft now. My focus is on getting a national championship, bringing a national championship to Kansas."
Freshman Darrell Arthur, who may have gone straight to the NBA out of high school had the new age rule not been implemented, was asked about his future in the locker room.
"I haven't thought about it. Whatever happens, happens," Arthur said, "but I'm pretty much coming back."
Audio clips
2006-07 March 23 KU-UCLA hoops prev
- Brandon Rush addresses the crowd of media around him Friday in the HP Pavilion
- Darrell Arthur talks about avoiding distraction in his first Elite Eight
- Mario Chalmers talks about the potential pace of Saturday's game
- UCLA's Arron Afflalo talks about his matchup with Brandon Rush
- UCLA's Darren Collison talks about matching up with KU's guards
- UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute talks about the desire to reach back-to-back Final Fours
NCAA Tournament
- Brink of history (03-24-07)
- UCLA's Collison connected to KU (03-24-07)
- Keegan: Rush vs. Afflalo a treat (03-24-07)
- Mayer: KU title in 2007 would be a fitting tribute (03-24-07)
- 'Wild' Wright key tonight (03-24-07)
- What about next season? (03-24-07)
- Ryan Wood's UCLA notebook (03-24-07)
- Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook (03-24-07)
- Coast to coast (03-24-07)
- 'Blinky' Jayhawk pins sell like hot cakes (03-24-07)
- Lawrencians find ways to celebrate in town (03-24-07)
- Trip to Final Four would be first for Coach Self (03-23-07)
- KU and UCLA prepare for big day (03-23-07)
- The 'Madness' continues to escalate (03-23-07)
- Both Lawrence and KU police will have extra officers on duty (03-23-07)
- KU set to 'Bear' down against the Bruins of UCLA (03-23-07)
- Fill out your own NCAA Tournament bracket »
- Share your videos and photos »
- Complete NCAA Tournament coverage »
- 50th Anniversary of 1957 Championship »
More like this
- Mayer: KU title in 2007 would be a fitting tribute 6 comments / March 24, 2007
- Lawrencians find ways to celebrate in town March 24, 2007
- Ryan Wood's UCLA notebook 5 comments / March 24, 2007
- Keegan: Rush vs. Afflalo a treat 4 comments / March 24, 2007
- Coast to coast March 24, 2007

Comments
rockchalkjayhawk4ku11 (anonymous) says...
As much as I like rush I just dont think that he is ready for the NBA level yet. Sorry Brandon. And i dont think mario will get to play at all if he goes. I just don't think those two are ready. Glad to know that wright is coming back though!
March 24, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justinryman (anonymous) says...
Wait a minute next season starts in October. We as fans need not worry about that. Lets look at the task in hand tonight with UCLA.....Attack the rim Rush, make em wish you went pro last year!!!
March 24, 2007 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker_97 (anonymous) says...
Rush has got yet to prove it tonight, if he really thinks who he is. we have faith in you, Rush but you have to make plays on every game, including tonight's.
best of luck to the Hawks and to me & my friends who are still looking for tickets at descent price!!!!!
go Hawks!!
March 24, 2007 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
milehighhawk (anonymous) says...
They will all come back & next year will be the best college basketball team in a few decades.
March 24, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...
The question Rush needs to ask himself is "can the money wait" (so he can improve his game). I think the answer is yes. With two brothers who've made a tidy sum, his family certainly isn't destitute. There is a lot that Brandon could work on in another year in college. consistency being the most of those. He is a great on-the-ball defender, he has a great shot, and he's gifted with great athleticism. We all know that Brandon hasn't achieved his potential yet, though. He doesn't consistently put it all together. The fact of the matter is it's gonna be easier to hone those skills in college rather than in the NBA. Having developed those skills BEFORE jumping to the pros translates into more playing time and a longer career. What's at stake here is nothing short of Brandon's longevity in the NBA. I honestly think two more years is too much for Brandon, but he really needs one more year to develop his skills. Can you imagine the savvy he'd have developed next year? Wow! He'd have the NBA scouts salivating!
March 24, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JNgohawks (anonymous) says...
Pual Peirce stayed 3, Raef 4, Scott Pollard 4, Jacque 4, Drew Gooden 3, Wayne Simien 4, Greg O. 4, Danny Manning 4, Kirk 4, Nick Collison 4, all these players have done well in the NBA and are as talented as Rush in their own right. Unless he is MVP of final four, I think he would make more $ in long run with one more year.
March 24, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tis4tim (anonymous) says...
Who cares about next season? Focus on now.
March 24, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )