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Kansas Jayhawks: Will Wayne Selden be Back Next Year

By Mike Norris

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Wayne Selden, Jr. came to the Kansas Jayhawks as a five-star recruit.

Many thought he would leave Lawrence after one season. Following an up and down freshman year, Selden excited Jayhawk fans when he announced on Twitter he would be returning for his sophomore season.

Hi 9.7 points per game were not staggering, but players who averaged less have been first-round picks before.

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When it came out after the season he had been hampered by a knee injury during his freshman campaign, fans were even more excited to see what he could do this year.

At times, he has been amazing.

But, consistent is not a word to describe the Roxbury, Massachusetts native.

His flashes of brilliance have been mixed with average play, and quite frankly, disappointing stretches as well.

Take for instance three separate stretches he has had this season.

Jan. 7-Jan. 28 (7 games)

7.6 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.4 RPG, 20-of-60 FGs (.333), 9-of-26 3-pt FGs (.346)

Nov. 14-Dec. 5 (7 games)

9.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.7 RPG, 22-of-64 FGs (.343), 7-of-24 3-pt FGs (.291)

Jan. 31-Feb. 15 (5 games)

16 PPG, 2.6 APG, 2.0 RPG, 24-of-46 FGs (.521), 17-of-29 3-pt FGs (.586)

As you can see he had an absolutely terrible stretch at the start of conference play, after an average start to the season in November and early December.

Thankfully for Jayhawk fans he has stepped up his game, especially his 3-point shooting, but he followed up that terrific five-game stretch in January and February, with a clunker Monday in the loss to West Virginia — 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting.

One of the most talked about differences between successful lottery picks and average pros, is the ability to stay consistent. Unfortunately for Selden he has not been that kind of guy.

His athletic body, ability to shoot the three and slash to the hoop (when he actually decisdes to do it), and solid defense make him a sure-fire NBA draft pick.

The questions remain though, of how good will he be, and when will it happen?

According to draftexpress.com, Selden is currently the No. 43 projected player — in 2016. That means he would be a second-rounder in next year’s draft.

That seems a little low to me, but he also comes in at No. 74 in Aran Smith’s nbadraftnet.com 2015 Big Board.

However, if Selden doesn’t up his game, and remains ranked around that same spot, he wouldn’t be the first player to leave early if he chose to do so, despite being projected as a late-second round pick at best.

It’s too early to truly know what he will do. While most everyone knew Andrew Wiggins would be gone after one season in Lawrence, he sure did act like he wanted to stay.

But Selden isn’t Wiggins, and he will have a tough decision to make.

Does he bank on his athleticism and potential and test the waters, or come back for one more season and possibly upgrade his stock?

Only he knows for sure, but if he keeps looking looking like an NBA 3-point shooter, as he has the past few weeks, it will be hard for every team to pass him up twice.

What do you think?

Next: Kansas Jayhawks: Naming the All-Bill Self KU Teams

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