As Kansas basketball’s roster continues to find exciting pieces this offseason, it may be time for fans to realize that junior guard Ochai Agbaji will likely make the jump to the NBA.
Along with sophomore guard Jalen Wilson, Agbaji will be testing the NBA Draft process. He can return to Kansas if he wishes, but he must pull his name from the draft pool by the July 19th deadline.
Considering his options, Agbaji may want to make the jump to the pros. With the offseason additions of playmakers Remy Martin and Joseph Yesufu, he may decide to move forward.
Despite the remaining two years of eligibility due to Covid-19, Agbaji’s size and developed shot makes him a marketable player in this year’s draft.
A mock draft from Yahoo Sports shows Ochai being taken in the second round by the Indiana Pacers. He contributed more this past season, averaging just over 14 points per game and finding a groove from the three-point line in the bottom half of the year.
Taking his athleticism to the NBA will put Agbaji in a new setting, a professional one that will require a change of pace from the Jayhawk.
However, his skillset combines both strength and agility, which opens quite a few avenues for him to be successful for most franchises.
In the event he decides to return, we should expect him to join teammate Jalen Wilson as well. Wilson holds quite a bit of talent, however, his sophomore season didn’t live up to expectations and another year in Lawrence would be productive in his efforts to find the next stage.
Regardless, there is a scenario where Kansas will need to replace Ochai’s role and it will make for an interesting roster change before the 2021 season tips off.