Bill Self expresses joy after two KU basketball standouts are selected in 2023 NBA draft
LAWRENCE — Jalen Wilson had to wait a little longer than Gradey Dick, but in time both KU basketball standouts heard their names called Thursday during the NBA draft.
Dick, coming off his freshman year in college, went 13th overall in the first round to the Toronto Raptors. Wilson, a redshirt junior this past season, went 51st overall in the second round to the Brooklyn Nets. And now they can embark on the early stages of their professional careers with a clear knowledge of the organizations they’ll be a part of.
“I was obviously very happy for Gradey,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “We had heard somewhere between 10 and 14 probably, and he goes 13. So, I think that’s probably a very good fit for him and Toronto. So, I’m very happy with that. We should all be happy with that.”
Self added: “Jalen, even though he didn’t get drafted where I’m sure he hoped he would — but the bottom line, it’s all about fit at that point once you get midway in the second round. I know that his representation feels like it’s a really good fit and Brooklyn was very excited to get him. So, I’m happy with that and I certainly think that he’ll have a heck of a chance to be a part of their roster.”
Dick and Wilson had two different paths to the NBA, Self explained. Dick experienced immediate success with the Jayhawks, while Wilson needed more time in order to develop into the caliber of player he ultimately became.
Regardless, Dick and Wilson still were able to live out their dreams this past week.
Dick heads to Toronto as arguably the best available shooter in his draft class, after being a part of another Big 12 Conference regular season championship team at Kansas. Self said Dick just needs to be himself with the Raptors, and compete and be coachable. Self envisions Toronto will need its new rookie to be able to produce right away.
Wilson heads to Brooklyn with valuable experience, as the leader on this past season’s Jayhawks squad and a key contributor to the program’s national championship in 2022. And the All-American heads to a Nets organization that has a head coach who played in college at Kansas as well — Jacque Vaughn. Self downplayed how much that’ll help Wilson make the roster, but did note that the hopes it’ll mean something for Wilson.
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It’s unclear if next year the Jayhawks will see multiple players drafted for a third year in a row, with Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun starting that run in 2022. There’s a lot that can play out between now and then. But when posed with the question of if his roster has potential 2024 draftees, Self said without question there are.
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“I would very disappointed if we didn’t have a pro or two on our team this upcoming season,” Self said.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson picked out of Kansas in 2023 NBA draft
