Lawrence – Galen Wilson never envisioned testing the NBA draft process twice, only to go back to college both times, but that’s a fact he discussed this week after returning to Lawrence.
Wilson had his name in mind in 2021, after his freshman season earning a red jersey with Kansas, and he’s back. He did it again this year, after his second season in Little Red Riding Hood, and he’s back again.
There is a clear goal, however, made clear by Wilson as to why he would fit in with the Jayhawks again. Although he was leaning toward staying in the process about a week before the June 1 deadline to quit — and continue his pursuit of his NBA dream — he eventually came to the decision one night that another season of college basketball was the best for him. .
► Related:Here’s where Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji, Christian Brown is expected to go in the 2022 NBA Draft
► Related:Kansas AD Travis Goff expects Jayhawks to become more advanced in Year 2 of the NIL . space
That year could allow him to prepare himself for bigger career opportunities next year.
“I think, personally, the way the year went, it was clearly the greatest year I could ask for,” Wilson said, referring to his role in Kansas’ successful run for a national championship. “But, I just just want a full year, just good basketball and things like that. And I feel like I started the last year really slowly, kind of holding back a few things.
“So just being able to get off to a good start and get a full season is what I really want for myself.”
What Galen Wilson Got From the NBA Pre-Draft Process
Wilson thought, after his performance at the NBA G League Elite Camp earned him a spot on the NBA squad, he was on the path that would take him to the pro ranks. Over the course of the process, he said he probably met with each organization and worked specifically with the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
Perhaps next time, he said, he wouldn’t have to worry about a G League event and would receive a direct invitation to the gathering.
Wilson made it clear that not receiving this direct invitation was not a great disappointment to him. Referring to the problems he’s faced in recent years, which included a season-ending injury as a real freshman and a short suspension last season, he pointed to this fact as another moment of adversity to overcome.
He wasn’t expecting to have a place in the gathering just because he started with a team that won a national championship.
Earning that spot next year, or when Wilson chooses to enter the next draft process, will likely find his support in Wilson’s ability to hit the ball next season as he did in the G League event. He knows it, because of the way he hit the ball from behind the arc when he was a sophomore in Little Red and because of what the teams were telling him during the draft process.
In other areas, such as rebounding and defense, Wilson said ratings have been positive.
Wilson will never shy away from being physical, and from being aggressively stooped. This is how it plays. But a better shot will increase his turn and put him in a better position to win one in the NBA.
Kansas head coach Bill Self said he believes that if Wilson had shot 36% from behind the arc last season — instead of 26.3% — Wilson would not have returned to school. Self also considers Wilson a much better three-point shooter than Wilson’s sophomore season suggests, and noted that Wilson just has to prove it.
Self noted how Wilson shot 33.9% in 3 seconds during the Big 12 Conference play, and said Wilson only needs to be in the 38% to 39% range over the course of the season.
“I’m a huge fan,” said Self, before comparing Wilson to Ochai Agbaji and Christian Brown. “I think his ability to score – do you really think his ability to score is what Ochai was after his freshman year? I don’t know I’d say yes to that. But I can say he’s probably more than (Brown) … after the previous year, ( Brown) enters last year.
“So, I can’t imagine Galen not having the potential to be at least a double-digit goalscorer for us. I think he has that inside of him.”
What Galen Wilson can achieve this season in Kansas
The better Wilson performs there, the more likely he will get a chance to spend a season like Agbaji just did – the conference’s 12-year-old best player. Wilson could have had a season like Devonte’ Graham did when he was a senior a few years ago – All-American and Big 12 Conference MVP. Self said it’s possible for Wilson to be all-American, and Wilson agrees.
Watching Graham and Agbege return, and have their team in Lawrence, factor in Wilson’s decision. It’s special for Wilson, being able to play with the Jayhawks in front of fans who are developing a relationship with the team on a different level than the NBA.
Wilson still remembers his regular season finale against the Texans at Allen Fieldhouse, feeling like he didn’t know if this was his last home game.
“Patience was the most important thing to me,” Wilson said. “If you look at all the guys who were on our team last year, a lot of them were playing in Year 3 and 4. And that was only my second year playing if you look at it as much as it was Red Year. So, I just looked at him. I mean, Ochai excelled. After his fourth year.(Brown) excelled after his third year.And I feel, with this being my third year, I’m at the same pace.
“It’s just, I’m still learning and stuff like that, just be patient, and not rush the process. Because, I mean, I don’t know why you’d want to rush into a place like this.”
“I just told him, ‘I’ll be there soon,'” Wilson added, referring to a conversation with Brown about the NBA. “So just give me some time and I’ll be there with him. But I’m really excited, because it’s what everyone dreams about. I mean, winning a championship is something special.” Really. But that first dream is always the NBA.”
Jalen Wilson hopes to make his mark on Jayhawks
Before Wilson realized that dream, he would be captain of Kansas as they look to defend their national title. He’s looking to leave an imprint on the program, as he shows newcomers how the team works. Many veterans have left last season’s team, but in those still with the team, he sees Agbagi and Brown next, David McCormack next and Remy Martin.
Wilson understands that newcomers may think practices of the self are difficult, but noted that when they enter the games they will realize that they have already gained the necessary experiences.
Wilson allowed, it might have been his 15-point drop in the National Championship game that was driving it, but noted that he doesn’t think there was one time during the NCAA tournament he and his teammates had.
He made it a point to ensure everyone was prepared for how hard such a run would eventually be, even as early as the Round of 32 in a match like the one they had against Creighton.
“He texted me,” said returning goalkeeper Bobby Pettiford Jr., who will be a sophomore this season. Like, he was kind of on me, just kind of like — I’m his little bro, so we’ve been texting. Like, he texted me one day saying, ‘I’m going back, so I need you with me.’ We have to get another one.”
Jordan Guskey covers the University of Kansas Athletics in The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.