Julian Wright: Will He Stay Or Will He Go?

Julian Wright: Will he return for his junior year?
(Credit: www.lawrence.com)

Hello, Lawrence. Your worst April nightmare may come true a little more than two weeks after the 40-minute nightmare imposed upon you by UCLA in Sacramento. That's because Kansas sophomore Julian Wright is now considering entering the NBA Draft after stating all season that he'd return for his junior year.

In fact, Wright has promised his mother that he would not leave college without earning a degree. At present, the 6'8" forward is expected to graduate next spring. Nevertheless, Wright is in a difficult situation, as he will likely be a top 10 draft pick and possibly in the top 5. If Wright enters the draft and is selected between picks 3 and 10, he is due to make between $1.57 and $2.91 million in his rookie campaign (source: Hoops Hype)

If Wright declares for the NBA Draft, it is unknown whether he will sign with an agent immediately. In the case that he leaves, the Jayhawks will still return a frontline consisting of Sasha Kaun, Darrell Arthur, Darnell Jackson. Four-star recruit Cole Aldrich (6'10" 245 lbs) will be coming to Lawrence this fall and can play some key minutes for the Jayhawks, especially to fill potential minutes left by the aforementioned Wright.

Other News
Two coaching vacancies seem likely to be filled.

- Arkansas has come to an agreement with South Alabama head coach John Pelphrey. The 38-year-old also starred at Kentucky and served as an assistant for Billy Donovan at Marshall and Florida . Pelphrey will inherit five returning starters from a NCAA tournament team, led by SEC Freshman of the Year Patrick Beverley; however, this is clouded by news surfacing that two players tested positive for marijuana and another being in serious academic trouble.

- Wichita State head coach Mark Turgeon is expected to tour the campus of Texas A&M in hopes of being Billy Gillispie's successor. Upon his return from College Station, Turgeon will meet with his returnees, including rising seniors P.J. Couisnard and Sean Ogirri, and inform them of his decision. Following the Shockers run to the Sweet 16 in 2006, Turgeon was given a contract extension paying him $750,000 annually. That number may be doubled if hired by Texas A&M. According to CBS Sportsline, if Turgeon bolts for A&M, then Wichita State will move quickly to fill the vacancy. An early list of candidates includes Wichita State assistant coach Scott Spinelli, Northern Colorado head coach Tad Boyle, Oral Roberts head coach Scott Sutton and Winthrop head coach Gregg Marshall.