San Jose, Calif. — Kansas University's five starters each sat at a table in their own personal interview rooms, holding court with reporters for 30 minutes apiece Friday afternoon in HP Pavilion.
Three of the Jayhawks' five underclassmen faced questions about their futures.
That is ... will they stay in school or head to the NBA after this season?
"I made my decision before the year. It hasn't changed. I'm coming back (to KU)," said sophomore Julian Wright, who has been projected as a top-five pick by some experts in mock drafts.
Sophomore Brandon Rush, who considered leaving after his freshman year, stated: "After the season, I'll sit down and talk to my family, coach, see what he (coach Bill Self) is saying, what they all think."
Asked what the "magic number" would be for him to enter the draft, Rush said: "Top 20, but I'm not thinking about that now."
Sophomore Mario Chalmers, whose name has cropped up as a possible first-rounder, said: "I'm not thinking about the draft now. My focus is on getting a national championship, bringing a national championship to Kansas."
Freshman Darrell Arthur, who may have gone straight to the NBA out of high school had the new age rule not been implemented, was asked about his future in the locker room.
"I haven't thought about it. Whatever happens, happens," Arthur said, "but I'm pretty much coming back."
Audio Clips
2006-07 March 23 KU-UCLA hoops prev
- Brandon Rush addresses the crowd of media around him Friday in the HP Pavilion
- Darrell Arthur talks about avoiding distraction in his first Elite Eight
- Mario Chalmers talks about the potential pace of Saturday's game
- UCLA's Arron Afflalo talks about his matchup with Brandon Rush
- UCLA's Darren Collison talks about matching up with KU's guards
- UCLA's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute talks about the desire to reach back-to-back Final Fours
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