Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. smiles along with head coach Bill Self after announcing his plans to return to Kansas for his sophomore year during the Kansas basketball banquet on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Abe and Jake's Landing.

Bill Self stood behind a podium on the stage at Abe and Jake’s Landing on Wednesday night and told several hundred Kansas University basketball banquet-goers that he “knew what the situation would be with all our returning guys with the exception of one player.”

That individual — freshman forward Carlton Bragg, who had been considering a jump to the pros since the end of the season on March 26 — took care of any remaining uncertainty by yelling from his seat, “I’m coming back.”

Self, KU’s 13th-year hoops coach, waited for applause to subside then said, “Why don’t you come up here and tell everybody you are coming back?”

Members of the 2015-16 Kansas basketball team gather for a photo before a line-up of trophies amassed during their collective years, at the end of the basketball banquet on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Abe and Jake's Landing.

To which the Cleveland native waltzed up to the stage, took the mic and stated, “I will be playing again (for the Jayhawks) next year.”

OK, it might not have been the smoothest announcement ever, but it was perfect in the eyes of KU fans, who now know for sure Wayne Selden Jr. and Brannen Greene are departing for the NBA Draft after their junior years. In all likelihood, gone, too, is freshman Cheick Diallo, who Self said is preparing for the draft in South Carolina and is not expected to return to the team even though he has yet to sign with an agent. Meanwhile, Svi Mykhailiuk and Bragg will be back for their junior and sophomore seasons respectively.

“Carlton knows if he can get a little stronger and be a guy who averages 12 to 15 (points a game) next year, he won’t have to make a decision if he comes or goes … he’s going,” Self said. “I think Svi is exactly the same way.”

Bragg said deciding to return “was very tough. I checked with my mom. We sat down and talked about it and came to the conclusion to come back another year, get my education, get another year in basketball.”

Bragg also conferred with his coach about the matter.

“Pretty much every day, the choice of going or not going, pros and cons, pretty much everything about it,” Bragg, who averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 boards while logging 8.9 minutes per game in 38 games last season, said. “Coach said it was my decision. (He said) if you feel comfortable going or comfortable staying. He gave me all the good news.”

Bragg, by the way, learned this week he has grown an inch and is now 6-foot-10, about 225 pounds.

“Without shoes,” Bragg said with a smile.

He definitely figures to be a big man who can step out and shoot the jumper, evidenced by his 56.1 percent shooting mark as a freshman.

“Scoring a lot inside and out. I’ve got to get better on defense as well,” Bragg said of goals. “It’s going to be very good. I’m very excited. I’m happy.”

Mr. Jayhawk Part Two: Senior Perry Ellis was presented with the Danny Manning “Mr. Jayhawk” team MVP Award for the second straight year.

Kansas senior forward Perry Ellis gives his thank you to those in attendance after receiving the 2016 Danny Manning Mr. Jayhawk award during the Kansas basketball banquet on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Abe and Jake's Landing.

“It means so much to me. Having a great team around me. They helped me so much,” Ellis said.

He revealed he has signed with agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and today will travel to Houston to begin preparing for the draft with former NBA coach John Lucas.

“I’m trying to work as hard as I can, just try to be me, see what happens,” Ellis said. “Continue to push out the range, work on ball-handling, being myself, confident and comfortable.”

Coleby recovering: Self said he hoped 6-9 junior-to-be Dwight Coleby, formerly of Ole Miss, who is six months removed from ACL surgery, will be able to begin contact work in June.

“He’s doing physical stuff now, hopefully full-contact by June, but definitely not yet,” Self said. “We are not disappointed, (but) certainly he is not (ready for that at this time).”

Of Coleby, he said: “He’s looking very good. He has a chance to really make us better with his physical presence and soft touch.”

No hurry on letters: KU did not receive the letters of intent of Josh Jackson or Udoka Azubuike on Wednesday, first day of the monthlong signing period. Jackson reportedly may wait a few days and sign the letter at the same time as his mom, who has been his inspiration. Azubuike hails from Nigeria, and it could take a day or so to get that letter faxed to KU. He’s in New York preparing for the upcoming Jordan Brand Classic.

Recruiting: Self has three scholarships to give and has indicated he could be looking for up to two transfers and perhaps a freshman big guy. The Jayhawks are in the running for No. 20 ranked Jarrett Allen, a 6-9 senior from St. Stephens Episcopal in Austin, Texas. Self could not deal in specifics in accordance with NCAA rules.

Of the team, he said: “We’re set. We haven’t got any letters-of-intent back yet, so we obviously can’t comment on it, but I feel really good about who we’re going to sign this spring. I think we’ve put ourselves in a real favorable position. We’re going to be really good next year,” Self told the fans. “We’re really excited, and our staff would tell you, I haven’t been this excited probably going into a summer or a spring than what I am right now, because I know what these guys are capable of.”

This, that: Selden wore a spiffy new black hat to the banquet. “How much did that cost?” Self asked Selden, who responded, “45 dollars.” “These are good kids … snappy dressers,” Self added. … Bob Davis served as emcee. He has retired as voice of the Jayhawks after 32 seasons. His successor should be named in the near future. … Self said he knew Bragg would be returning for about two weeks. “He hadn’t told me for sure he wanted to do anything (formal announcement). I told him the banquet would be a perfect opportunity,” Self said. “He announced it from his chair,” Self added, shaking his head and smiling.

Ferguson picks ‘Zona: Terrance Ferguson, a 6-6 senior guard from Dallas Advanced Prep who had KU on his list of schools, on Wednesday announced he’d be attending Arizona.