Self, Wright to hold press conference at 4 p.m.

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self and sophomore Julian Wright will hold a 4 p.m. press conference today in Hadl Auditorium to address Wright’s future.

It is believed at that time that Wright, who was KU’s third-leading scorer and leading rebounder this season on its way to the Elite Eight, will declare himself eligible for June’s NBA Draft.

Self issues further comment on Wright’s draft status

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self has been inundated with phone calls since the Journal-World’s Sunday afternoon story on Julian Wright likely turning pro instead of returning for his junior year. Self issued this statement while on a West coast recruiting trip Sunday night:

“Due to the volume of calls I’ve received, and me being on the road, I want to say Julian’s intent is to make a formal announcement Monday afternoon concerning the future status of his career,” Self said. “That announcement will occur Monday afternoon.”

Wright likely to declare for NBA Draft

It looks as if Kansas University basketball sophomore Julian Wright has had a sudden change of heart regarding the NBA Draft.

KU coach Bill Self on Sunday told the Journal-World that Wright, who has repeatedly said he’d be back for his junior season, “will strongly consider his options regarding the draft. We expect he’ll have a decision at the first of the week. At that time we’ll have a formal announcement.”

Sources close to the situation told the Journal-World that as of Sunday, Wright had made up his mind to leave KU.

Sources say Self learned early in the week that Wright had completely changed his stance on the NBA and told the coach he’d likely be leaving instead of returning to complete his junior year and graduate in three years.

Sources say the two agreed to meet again upon Self’s return from a recruiting trip Monday.

It’s believed some individuals close to Wright indicated to him that with his being projected as a lottery pick, he would not be able to help himself by staying at KU, thus his sudden change of heart to leave.

Self would only say that he would meet with Wright upon returning from his recruiting trip and an announcement would be made early in the week, likely Monday.

Self said there was no change in the status of KU’s other players considering the NBA. Brandon Rush is considering his options, seeing which players decide to enter the draft and where he’d be selected. No other players have hinted at any plans of leaving.