KU basketball forward Jalen Wilson officially declares for 2023 NBA Draft
Kansas redshirt-junior forward Jalen Wilson on Wednesday announced his intention to enter his name in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Wilson, a 6-foot-8 native of Denton, Texas, who was named Big 12 Player of the Year and a first-team All-American after leading the conference in scoring and rebounding, made the announcement in a video on Twitter.
Wilson averaged 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds a game for the league-champion Jayhawks in 2022-23.
He recently was named winner of the Julius Erving Award honoring the men’s basketball top small forward in NCAA Division I. He also was a finalist for the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy.
“Dear Jayhawk Nation, it’s a marathon not a sprint,” Wilson said in the video. “This magical place has changed my life forever and I will always be appreciative of the time playing with Kansas across my chest. Through the tough times and brighter days I could always count on God, my family and my forever love for KU. No matter where life takes me next I will always will have a home in Lawrence.
“I want to thank coach (Bill) Self for believing in me to represent this school proudly on and off the court and for teaching me the tools to be the great player and person I want to be. To my family thank you for always supporting me. I owe everything to you for the sacrifices you made for me every day. God has blessed me so much this year and I am truly humbled and excited for what he has next in my journey in life. Thank you to all the people who have supported me through the journey. With all that being said I am declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. Thank you, Jalen.”
KU coach Bill Self said Wednesday that “it’s time for ‘J-Will’ now. It’s time. You can’t be better than first-team All-American averaging 20 points a game. He’s done exactly what he dreamt to do. It’s time for him to go.”
The NBA Draft will be held June 23 in Brooklyn, New York. Wilson is projected as a late first-round to early second-round pick. ESPN.com has Wilson as the No. 36 overall pick to Sacramento.
