Wayne Selden Jr. declares for NBA Draft

KU junior to hire agent, turn pro

Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr. (1) comes down after going baseline for a dunk during the second half, Friday, March 11, 2016 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

After three seasons, Wayne Selden Jr.’s days of playing for the Kansas Jayhawks are over.

The junior guard announced through a press release Tuesday afternoon he will forgo a fourth and final season at KU in order to enter the NBA Draft.

Unlike Kansas freshman big man Cheick Diallo, whose plans to enter the draft became public knowledge on Monday, Selden won’t leave open any window to return. The 6-foot-5 guard from Roxbury, Mass. will hire an agent.

“The last three years have been a true blessing to experience as a Jayhawk, an opportunity I am so thankful for,” Selden said in the KU release. “That being said, I’d like to announce that I will be declaring for the 2016 NBA draft. It has always been our plan that my college experience would be three years. I plan to hire representation in the coming weeks.

“I want to thank the Kansas fans for their support as a Jayhawk over the years. The support is unmatched and has been the driving force in games,” Selden added. “I would like to thank each of my brothers. Together we battled through the tough and celebrated the good. Giving our all for one another. I’d also like to thank Coach Self and the entire Kansas basketball staff. I’ve received three years of meaningful experiences and guidance both on and off the court.”

Selden arrived at KU in the same recruiting class as 2014 NBA lottery picks Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. He played in 109 games in his three seasons with Kansas, scoring 1,202 points in 3,217 minutes.

A three-year starter, Selden averaged 13.8 points, a career high, this past season and led the Jayhawks with 74 three-pointers, connecting on 39.2 percent.

“We are all so happy and proud of Wayne for not only how he’s played but for how he’s represented our school over the last three years,” KU coach Bill Self said in the release. “After his freshman year and seeing Andrew (Wiggins) and Joel (Embiid) declare after one year, Wayne, his family and our staff spoke that it would probably be after his junior year that the time would be right for him to declare and it has played out to be that way.”

While at Kansas, Selden won three Big 12 regular-season titles, one Big 12 Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2015-16. Additionally, Selden was part of two undefeated seasons in games played in Allen Fieldhouse going 45-1 in the venue. Selden ranks 37th on the KU career scoring list with 1,202 points. His 162 3-pointers made are 10th all-time in the KU books and his 443 3-pointers attempted are eighth.

“Wayne had a great year for us starting in South Korea by being the best player in the World University Games,” Self said. “And then, of course, being our second-leading scorer and helping lead us throughout a wonderful season here at Kansas. He has shown that he can play at the highest and most elite level as evidenced by some of the performances throughout the year. We wish him nothing but the best and are excited for whatever the future has for him.”