Jalen Wilson was teary-eyed after Kansas suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Round of 32.
It was not the ending anybody expected after Kansas led by double digits early in the second half. The broadcast booth constantly mentioning the Jayhawks being 47-0 all-time after leading by 8+ points at the half in NCAA Tournament games was the ultimate jinx.
Among the several factors that lost Kansas the game, Jalen Wilson was not one of them. It was just the third time this season he did not reach double-digits in shot attempts, but he still scored 20 points and sunk 9 of 11 free throws.
I asked Jalen Wilson how he hopes Jayhawk fans remember him, he said Kansas changed his life forever and he hopes they remember his competitiveness.
— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) March 19, 2023
Norm Roberts added he's one of the greatest winners the program has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/a3MlqTeloi
Although he has a year remaining of eligibility as a redshirt junior, Wilson has made it clear time and time again that this was his last hurrah with the Jayhawks. The realization hit him hard in the team’s post-game press conference, courtesy of 247 Sports.
"“This is one of the tightest groups I’ve ever been around. One thing about all year, no one is going to feel bad about anything that Kansas goes through. We have rallied through with each other and understood that it’s really us against everybody else. No matter what the outcome is, you know, I love these guys, I loved this year, and I will remember this forever.”"
The way KU’s season ended left a bitter taste in the mouth of its fans, but we also must appreciate what Jalen Wilson has done for us since he arrived in 2019.
Wilson is one of the most accomplished players in recent Kansas history. Following his freshman season, he was a key contributor to a national championship-winning team. And when Kansas needed him to become their go-to guy, he did just that.
His season in 2022-23 might be enough to get his jersey hung up in the rafters. The 6′ 8″ forward averaged 20.1 points per game this year, the most by a Kansas player since Frank Mason III six years back. He was a consensus First-Team All-American, won Big 12 Player of the Year, and will likely be the Wooden Award runner-up to Zach Edey.
No one more emotional coming off the floor than Jalen Wilson, really tough way to end a special career with the Jayhawks pic.twitter.com/5mURas3ROC
— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) March 18, 2023
Yesterday’s loss does not mean we have seen the end of Wilson. NBADraft.net has him being taken 24th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. His ability to finish inside and excellent rebounding skills make up for the lack of athleticism.
Kansas fans will remember this loss for quite some time. Even if this team was not Bill Self’s most impressive team, you never want to see the season end after losing a very winnable game. Jalen Wilson’s contributions have cemented him in the program’s history, and we should all be thankful for what he has given us these past few years.