Kansas basketball’s Jalen Wilson remains focused on NBA at 2022 G League Elite Camp

Jalen Wilson ensured those watching noticed him Monday, during a scrimmage at the 2022 NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago.

Wilson, coming off his redshirt sophomore season in college at Kansas, finished with 18 points and six rebounds in a little more than 18 minutes of action as his side came away with the win. As he so often would for the Jayhawks, multiple times during this camp scrimmage he took a defensive rebound and pushed the ball up the floor with pace to create opportunities for his teammates offensively. And on top of that Wilson, who didn’t hit four 3s in a game once this past season in 37 appearances at Kansas, nailed four 3s across the two 20-minute halves Monday at Wintrust Arena.

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It’s a performance that once again shines a light on the potential Wilson, who’s maintaining his collegiate eligibility, could choose to embark on his professional career after helping lead the Jayhawks to a national championship. Wilson felt he showcased a lot of different things in the scrimmage, including his ability to shoot, rebound, play defense, talk and simply embody what it means to be a good teammate. And speaking moments after the scrimmage’s completion, Wilson addressed how pivotal of a role this week might be in whether he decides to turn pro or return to college.

“A lot can happen,” said Wilson, in a phone interview with The Topeka Capital-Journal. “This process, teams see me and see how well I’ve developed my shot over the last month or two, so a lot can happen in this week and I’m just step-by-step, day-by-day taking my time with completing what I have to do day-by-day.”

Wilson said he arrived at the NBA G League Elite Camp, which precedes the NBA’s draft combine, with the goal of proving to everyone that he is a consistent and reliable shooter. He wanted to show that on top of being able to knock down shots, he can rebound, play defense and more. For someone who shot 46.1% from the field and 26.3% from behind the arc this past season for the Jayhawks, going 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-6 from behind the arc during this Monday scrimmage was certainly a positive start.

It’s shooting the ball, and shooting the ball a lot, that Wilson — one of the Big 12 Conference’s top rebounders across the 2021-22 campaign — has been focusing on as he’s been training in Dallas. It’s shooting the ball at a high level, in addition to showing how high of a motor he has, that he said teams have been talking to him about throughout this draft process. Since the college season concluded, Wilson’s continued to build confidence in himself as he’s devoted himself to improving in different areas.

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Wilson said he’s already worked out for the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks, and that he has a future workout scheduled with the Milwaukee Bucks. He believes he’s come into this process with more knowledge and experience than he did a year ago, when he participated in the 2021 NBA G League Elite Camp. And while his options remain open, Wilson’s focus doesn’t appear to be split by any means.

“Obviously I have my eligibility, so that’s always there,” said Wilson, who also had three assists and a steal during the scrimmage. “But right now I’m focused on the NBA, and reaching my dreams.”

If anyone’s wondering whether or not an athlete’s ability to benefit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) will play a role in Wilson’s decision, he said it won’t at all. He added that he’s going to do what’s best for him. Whatever decision he ultimately makes, he feels there will be money there for him to earn as long as he handles his business.

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 impresses at NBA G League Elite Camp