Here’s Jalen Wilson’s vision for what’s next as he returns to play for Kansas basketball

LAWRENCE — Jalen Wilson never envisioned testing the NBA draft process twice, only to return to college both times, but that’s the reality he discussed this week after arriving back in Lawrence.

Wilson put his name up for consideration in 2021, after his redshirt freshman season with Kansas, and came back. He did so again this year, after his redshirt sophomore season, and came back once more.

There is a clear purpose, though, that Wilson outlined for why he’ll suit up for the Jayhawks again. Even though he was leaning toward remaining in the process about a week before the June 1 deadline to withdraw — and continuing his pursuit of his NBA dream — he ultimately came to the decision one night that another season of college basketball was best for him.

►RELATED: Here’s where Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun are expected to go in the 2022 NBA draft

►RELATED: Kansas AD Travis Goff foresees Jayhawks becoming more progressive in year 2 of NIL space

That year can allow him to set himself up for greater professional opportunities next year.

“I think, personally with the way the year went, it was obviously the greatest year I could ask for,” said Wilson, referring to his part in Kansas’ run of success to a national championship. “But, I just really just want a complete year, just of good basketball and stuff like that. And I feel like, me starting off the year so slow last year, kind of hindered some things.

"So, just being able to get off to a good start and have a full season is what I really want for myself.”

What Jalen Wilson took from NBA pre-draft process

Wilson had thought, after his performance at the NBA G League Elite Camp earned him a spot at the NBA’s combine, he was on the route that would take him to the professional ranks. Over the course of the process, he said he probably met with every organization and worked out specifically for the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.

Maybe next time, he mused, he won’t have to worry about the G League event and will receive a direct invite to the combine.

Not receiving that direct invite, Wilson explained, wasn’t a significant source of disappointment for him. Alluding to the issues he’s faced in recent years, which have included a season-ending injury as a true freshman and short suspension this past season, he pointed to that reality as another moment of adversity to overcome.

He didn’t expect to have a place at the combine just because he started for a team that won a national championship.

Earning that place next year, or whenever Wilson chooses to enter the draft process next, would likely find its support in Wilson being able to shoot the ball this upcoming season like he did at the G League event. He knows that, both because of how he shot the ball from behind the arc as a redshirt sophomore and because of what teams were telling him during the draft process.

In other areas, such as rebounding and defense, Wilson said the reviews were positive.

Wilson is never going to get away from being physical, and getting downhill, offensively. That’s the way he plays. But shooting the ball better will expand his role and put him in a better position to earn one in the NBA.

Bill Self, Kansas’ head coach, said he thinks if Wilson had shot 36% from behind the arc last season — instead of 26.3% — that Wilson wouldn’t have come back to school. Self also considers Wilson a much better 3-point shooter than Wilson’s redshirt sophomore season suggests, and noted Wilson just has to prove it.

Self pointed to how Wilson shot 33.9% on 3s during Big 12 Conference play and said Wilson just needs to be at around 38% to 39% over the course of the season.

“I’m a big fan,” said Self, before comparing Wilson to Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun. “I think his ability to score — do you really think that his ability to score is what Ochai’s was after his junior year? I don’t know that I would say yes on that. But I would say it would be probably more than (Braun) was … after the year before, (Braun) going into last year.

"And so, I can’t imagine Jalen not having the potential to be a middle, double-figures scorer for us at least. I do think he’s got that in him.”

What Jalen Wilson could achieve this season at Kansas

The better Wilson performs there, the more likely he’ll have a chance to have a season like Agbaji just did — All-American, Big 12 Conference player of the year. Wilson could have a season like Devonte' Graham did as a senior a handful of years ago — All-American, Big 12 Conference player of the year. Self said it's possible Wilson could be an All-American, and Wilson agrees.

Watching Graham and Agbaji return, and have it be their team in Lawrence, factored into Wilson’s decision. It’s a special thing to Wilson, to be able to play for the Jayhawks in front of fans who develop a bond with the team that’s on a different level than the NBA.

Wilson still remembers the regular season finale against Texas at Allen Fieldhouse, and the feeling he had not knowing if that was his last game at home.

“My biggest thing was just patience,” Wilson said. “If you look at all our guys that were on our team last year, a lot of them it was their third, fourth year playing. And that was only my second year playing if you look at it as far as being like my redshirt year. So, I just looked at it. I mean, Ochai excelled after his fourth year. (Braun) excelled after his third year. And I feel like, with this being my third year, I’m right around the same pace.

"It’s just, I’m still learning and stuff like that, and just being patient, not rushing the process. Because, I mean, I don’t know why you’d ever want to rush a place like this.”

Wilson, mentioning a conversation with Braun about the NBA, added: “I just told him, ‘I’ll be there soon.’ So, just give me some time and I’ll be there with him. But I’m super excited, because it’s what everyone dreams about. I mean, winning a championship is really special. But that first dream is always the NBA.”

Jalen Wilson hopes to leave his mark on Jayhawks

Before Wilson realizes that dream, he’ll be a leader for Kansas as it looks to defend its national title. He’s looking forward to leaving a mark on the program, as he shows the newcomers how the team operates. So many veterans from this past season’s team are gone, but in those who are still with the team he sees the next Agbaji and Braun, the next David McCormack and Remy Martin.

Wilson understands that the newcomers may think Self’s practices are hard, but pointed out that when they get into games they’ll realize they’ve already gained the necessary experiences.

Maybe being down 15 points in the national championship game is pushing it, Wilson allowed, but he noted that he doesn’t think there was one time during the NCAA tournament that he and his teammates were rattled.

He’s making it a point to ensure everyone’s prepared for how tough a run like that ultimately is, even early on in the round of 32 in a game like they had against Creighton.

“He texts me,” said returning guard Bobby Pettiford Jr., who’ll be a sophomore this upcoming season. “Like, he’s been kind of on me, just kind of like — I’m his little bro, so we’ve been texting. Like, he texted me the other day saying: ‘I’m coming back, so I need you with me. We’ve got to get another one.’”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball's Jalen Wilson shares vision for what's next and NBA