Former Kansas University forward Julian Wright arrives in style at Dryades YMCA in New Orleans for a news conference.

Former Kansas University forward Julian Wright, his mother, Gina, brother, Andre, and agent, Rob Pelinka, were treated like royalty by New Orleans Hornets officials and fans Friday in the Big Easy.

Wright – who Thursday night in New York was tapped 13th in the NBA Draft – flew with his loved ones and business partner to Louisiana on Friday morning.

The Wright contingent was met by Hornets executives at Louis Armstrong International Airport and transported to Dickie Brennan’s Steak House in the famed French Quarter.

After lunch, it was off to a news conference at the team’s headquarters before an appearance at Dryades YMCA, which for over 100 years has established and executed programs and provided services for families, young adults and children of New Orleans.

The Rebirth Brass Band played “Georgia Brown” while Wright entered the gym to the wild applause of New Orleans youth.

“I’ve always followed what’s happened with Hurricane Katrina, and I’ve really been sympathetic,” Wright told the fans. “Now I feel like I can really become a part of it and become a positive influence in the community.”

On Aug. 9, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the levee system and dismantled most of the businesses, community organizations, schools, churches and homes in New Orleans.

Because of the devastation, the Hornets spent the 2005-06 season in Oklahoma City and played most of their home games in OKC, with some in New Orleans, last season.

“This is the first full season the Hornets are back since Hurricane Katrina, and that’s definitely something I feel the city can get behind with us, and hopefully we can be a positive influence throughout the year,” Wright said.

“Try to win games and be positive role models off the court as well to really show them we really care about the city and try to rebuild in a positive way.”

Wright’s mom – she said she would move to New Orleans with her son – held a revealing interview with the Associated Press before heading back to her hometown of Chicago on Friday night.

She told the AP she raised Julian on “old school” R&B and gospel and said Julian had a singing voice reminiscent of R&B singer and pianist John Legend.

Former Kansas University forward Julian Wright arrives in style at Dryades YMCA in New Orleans for a news conference.

She said Julian also wrote poetry and probably would be in the music business if he didn’t play basketball.

Gina and Julian both discussed an incident that nearly claimed the ex-Jayhawk’s life at the age of 10. Julian, now 20, had to be revived after a relative pulled him from a swimming pool unconscious.

“It was horrible in terms of what could have happened, but it was a miracle when you look at what didn’t happen,” Gina said. “We look at the miracle aspect of it.”

Julian Wright says he thinks of the swimming pool accident often.

“I kind of just thought about how far I’ve come as a person,” Wright said. “I’d be a fool to not be grateful, playing basketball and just being a positive influence, things like that. When things like (the near drowning) happen in life, it kind of gives you a different perspective. I think that’s what’s helped me in terms of being a little more mature than maybe most rookies would.

Wright is cheered by children at the YMCA.

“Nothing’s promised. You’ve got to make the most of your abilities and talents when you’re able to.”

Wright reiterated he’s happy to be a member of the Hornets, a team that went 39-43 a year ago and boasts third-year point guard Chris Paul.

“To be with a team like this that is not a rebuilding team … there is less pressure,” Wright said. “I’m looking forward to going out there and trying to make plays, make something happen especially on the defensive end as well as transition.

“Obviously it’s up to coach (Byron) Scott how he wants to use me. I feel I have a lot of skills that can really help the team.”

Scott is known for being tough on rookies.

Julian Wright, right, talks with his new coach, the Hornets' Byron Scott. Wright and Scott held a news conference Friday in New Orleans.

“Chris Paul would tell you coach Scott has helped him a lot,” Wright said. “To see how coach Scott has helped him become who he is, someone who plays with so much confidence, I feel I can be a confident guy as well,” added Wright, who will play for the Hornets summer league team in July in Las Vegas.

¢ Coach’s comments: Coach Scott gushed to the media about Wright on Friday.

“Every aspect of his game is good right now. It’s just a matter of us making sure that we continue to work with him,” Scott said.

¢ Not enamored with pick: New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist John DeShazier didn’t support the drafting of Wright in a column entitled, “Wright is wrong man to fit team needs.”

“They really, really like him, and maybe the Hornets got exactly what they wanted in the first round when they selected Wright at No. 13. Forgive me, though, if the knob on the personal giddy meter points to a lower number, something a little closer to 1 or 2 than 9 or 10,” DeShazier wrote.

“Unless Wright has a shooting stroke that belies the 12 points he averaged as a sophomore, it’s hard to see how the Hornets helped themselves in the area they need the most help. He averaged 10.4 points in two college seasons, was 3-for-16 from three-point range with a closer line than the one he’ll see in the NBA, and averaged two assists in 71 games.

“The franchise entered and exited the first round without a shooting guard.”

DeShazier was kinder when he wrote …

“He could be the biggest surprise of the draft. He could display an array of skills that were muffled in the college game, could step into the starting lineup or become an important member of the rotation and help the Hornets reach the playoffs.

“Scott likened him to a poor, poor, poor, poor man’s Magic Johnson, and an improved model of Hornets free agent Desmond Mason, who likely won’t return. Wright was so highly rated initially he didn’t even work out for the Hornets, focusing instead on interviewing for teams with higher picks. …

“No rookie is likely to play heavy minutes for New Orleans this season, but at least a rookie shooting guard would have had a better chance.

“But, hey, the Hornets like Wright. If they’re right, we will be giddy at being wrong.

¢ Good grade: ESPN’s Chad Ford gave the Hornets a B-plus for their drafting of Wright and Iowa’s Adam Haluska.

“Although Nick Young might have been the better fit, Wright is the better player. He’s not a great shooter, but he does everything else really well and will be a great fit alongside Chris Paul in the open court – and he has plenty of upside. Haluska, on the other hand, seems like a huge stretch,” Ford wrote.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.