Julian Wright Entering NBA Draft
I think that the immediate and long-term financial benefits derived from a guaranteed contract make a compelling case for turning pro as soon as you’re a highly probable lottery pick. Nor is it a bad idea to turn pro in a year when Phoenix (58-19, 2nd seed in West), Detroit (49-27, 1st seed in East), and Chicago (46-32, 2nd seed in East) each project to have top-15 picks (as of today) in the draft.
I also think that, if you assume that Julian Wright has room to improve as a basketball player (and I do), it’s likely that he will improve more and at a quicker pace if he’s playing basketball professionally than as a student-athlete at the University of Kansas, playing (at most) 20-25 meaningful games in between limited practice time while taking a heavier-than-average course load in pursuit of early graduation.
Here’s Julian’s stats from the past two years.
Points, assists, turnovers, blocks, and steals listed per 100 individual possessions
| Year | %Min | eFG% | FT% | PPWS | Pts | A | TO | BS | S | OR% | DR% |
| FR | 50.3 | 57.8 | 55.7 | 1.17 | 24.3 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 9.2 | 14.2 |
| SO | 68.3 | 55.3 | 61.3 | 1.14 | 25.2 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 11.0 | 20.0 |
He will be missed.
Also, Julian’s 06-07 stats in comparison with those from some other big men projected to go in the first round.
| Name | %Min | eFG% | FT% | PPWS | Pts | A | TO | BS | S | OR% | DR% |
| Noah | 64.6 | 60.7 | 66.3 | 1.28 | 27.8 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 13.3 | 24.6 |
| B Wright | 66.3 | 64.6 | 56.7 | 1.29 | 29.4 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 8.8 | 15.8 |
| J Wright | 68.3 | 55.3 | 61.3 | 1.14 | 25.2 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 11.0 | 20.0 |
| Horford | 66.1 | 60.8 | 64.4 | 1.27 | 28.5 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 12.2 | 27.0 |
| McRoberts | 87.2 | 50.9 | 66.4 | 1.10 | 22.5 | 6.0 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 7.6 | 19.4 |
6 Responses to “Julian Wright Entering NBA Draft”
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April 9th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Disgusting. These players think nothing of the team, nothing of the university that has taken them in, giving them experience, and showcasing them on a national level. No, they only think about the millions of dollars they can make in the NBA. The NBA age limit should be 22 or 23, not 19. Require players to go to college until they graduate.
This makes me lose a lot of respect for Julian, and I’ll say the same about any other player who leaves early - Brandon Rush I’m looking in your direction.
Players should reamin at the university until they academically graduate, then they can leave with honor and respect and take the career in the NBA that they’ve earned. Not turn their backs on the team the moment some NBA scout thinks they may have a shot at a draft lottery pick.
April 9th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Is he simply testing, or will he sign with an agent?
April 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Julian will be missed for sure but I think he’s more replaceable than Rush. His rebounding and athleticsim are outstanding, but his jumper, consistency, and free throw shooting need a lot of improvement for a projected NBA SF. Rush’s defensive versatility make him invaluable if he does stay and Arthur should slot in nicely as the everyday 4 next season. I think Rush makes himself a lottery pick in a draft not quite as deep in wingmen in ‘08. If the doomsday scenario of Chalmers, Collins, Arthur and Rush follow Wright out, following are my guesses on the lineup.
1-Tyrel Reed/Brennan Bechard
2-Brady Morningstar/Jeremy Case
3-Roderick Stewart
4-Darnell Jackson
5-Sasha Kaun/Cole Aldrich/Matt Kleinmann
And maybe a shot at Jai Lucas, Patrick Patterson or Jenirro Bush ala Brandon Rush two years ago.
Not exactly an elite eight team, but I think it could still make the tourney.
April 9th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
So Russell Robinson does not make your starting 5?
April 9th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
According to Jayhawk Slant($) it says he’ll hire an agent at the end of May, but as of now he does not have an agent.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:25 am
oops. How could I forget Rus-Rob?! Of course pencil him in at the 1.