Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji reveals plans for next season
Kansas Jayhawk fans got some sad news on Sunday evening, but it was expected. The 2022 Big 12 Player of the Year, Ochai Agbaji, revealed in an announcement on his Twitter page that he plans to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft. The gifted shooting guard developed his game over the past few years and is likely to be a top 15 selection in the upcoming draft.
Check out his announcement below.
His announcement reads: “HOW DID IT FEEL?” I’ve probably been asked that question a thousand times since we won the national championship. And while I’m not sure I’ve found the right words to accurately describe the elation and surreal nature of that moment, I do know this much: I’ll never get tired of talking about it.”
“From start to finish, this entire season felt like it had been scripted. A season I’ll remember forever. One I’ll never take for granted,” Agbaji said. “But before I put my collegiate career in the rearview mirror and look to the future, I want to thank some of the people who helped put me on the road to success. My family, my teammates, my coaches, and of course, Jayhawk Nation. No matter where basketball takes me — I’ll always be a Jayhawk. With that said, I would like to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft. Rock Chalk Forever. Ochai Agbaji.”
He was one of the purest shooters in America and the national media took notice, as he was named a 2022 Consensus All-American, the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, and a Naismith Award finalist. In turning pro, he joins the likes of David McCormack, Jalen Wilson, and Christian Braun as the fourth Jayhawk to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft.
Agbaji averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game last season in propelling the Jayhawks to a 2022 NCAA National Championship victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels. While he didn’t play his best in the NCAA Tournament, he still poured in 18 points against the Miami Hurricanes in the Sweet 16. Agbaji caught absolute fire from deep against the Villanova Wildcats in the Final Four — connecting on six of his seven three-point attempts en route to a 21-point performance.
He averaged 40.9 percent from three-point range last season and did a remarkable job of developing his game the past few seasons under Bill Self and the Kansas coaching staff. His freshman season, he averaged 8.5 points per game and shot 30.7 percent from deep.
Agbaji is a tremendous example of a player staying in college, sticking with the same coaching staff, and developing his game in the right ways to become a highly valued NBA prospect.