Simien has ‘no regrets’

KU senior-to-be content with still being a Jayhawk

Wayne Simien could have been in New York today getting fitted for a new suit to wear to Thursday’s 2004 NBA draft at Madison Square Garden.

Instead, the 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward is content to be a summer-school student on Kansas University’s campus, working out and preparing for what he hopes is an unforgettable senior — yes, senior — season.

“I have no regrets,” Simien said of his decision to return to KU and spurn the NBA draft.

“It’s crossed my mind that it could actually be me up there (on the stage being introduced by NBA commissioner David Stern). But I have no regrets at all, seeing the fine group of young guys we’ve got coming in this year and the core nucleus of the team returning.”

Simien, who led the 24-9 Jayhawks in scoring (averaging 17.8 points a game) and rebounding (9.3) his junior season, announced late last season he would not be bolting early to the NBA.

Was it love of KU and being a college student or a chance to win the national title that brought him back?

“All of the above,” said Simien, who scouts say had an excellent chance of being a first-round pick. “It came down to teammates, the opportunity to be one of the great players to play here and the opportunity to win the championship.”

Simien was asked where he would have been taken Thursday had he opted for early entry.

“The Kansas Cagerz … third round,” he quipped. “I didn’t look into it that much. Coach said there were some rumors of it (first round).”

Wayne Simien takes a shot during a demonstration of the Kansas University basketball warm--up drill. The KU senior-to-be participated in KU coach Bill Self's basketball camp Tuesday at Horejsi Center.

Indeed, KU coach Bill Self’s research indicated Simien had a “shot to be in the first round. I can honestly say Wayne will be a first-round pick next year. How high will depend on the kind of year he has.”

Simien, who said the strained groin that slowed him last season is fully healed, is hoping for a huge year.

“I hope to go out with a bang this year,” Simien said. “Being out here playing with the guys this summer is really encouraging. Knowing we’ll get a chance to go to Canada and maybe get a little early start as far as practice-wise, getting the younger guys ready and ourselves ready, I’m excited about next year.”

The Jayhawks likely are going to embark on a Labor Day weekend excursion to Vancouver — a foreign trip that will allow KU 10 additional practices in August.

The practices figure to help the Jayhawks’ five scholarship newcomers blend with the veterans and make the squad a sure-fire national title contender.

If all goes according to Simien’s plan, KU would win the title in April, and he, Aaron Miles and Keith Langford would be drafted a year from June in the Garden.

“I remember when Karl Malone got drafted he had denim jeans on with a bow tie. I will not go that route by any means,” Simien said with a grin. “Lord willing, I’ll be up there on the stage next year.”

KU fans are giddy he won’t be on the stage this year.

“I think maybe the hometown thing has still got people drawn to me. I’ve had a lot of people showing me love and patting me on the back, encouraging me, thanking me for staying,” Simien said. “Hopefully, I have something to show for it when I leave.”

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Conference represented: It’s believed five Big 12 Conference players will be tapped in Thursday’s draft. They likely would be: David Harrison, Colorado; Tony Allen, Oklahoma State; Jackson Vroman, Iowa State; Andre Emmett, Texas Tech; and Arthur Johnson, Missouri.

“He’ll go in the first round for his size,” Simien said of the 7-foot, 270-pound Harrison, who could be snagged by the Lakers at No. 27 or San Antonio 28th.

Campers Samuel Chaney, of Lawrence, left, and Mitchell Roberts, of Frisco, Texas, are impressed by a Wayne Simien dunk.

“I’m kind of excited to see how a few guys in my class fare — guys I competed against the last couple years. I have no teammates this year, unfortunately, but it’ll still be interesting to watch.”

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Collison close: Former Jayhawk Nick Collison of the Seattle SuperSonics hopes to be cleared to play summer league basketball next week.

The Sonics’ No. 1 draft pick last year sat out his rookie season after undergoing surgery on both shoulders.

“If it is not 100 percent, I won’t push it. That doesn’t make any sense,” Collison told the Seattle Times. “No sense in coming this far and waiting this long just to re-injure it again. I know I’m not all the way back yet, but I’m pretty close.”