Skip to content

Kansas' Kelly Oubre Jr. declares for NBA draft

Steven Branscombe / USA TODAY Sports

Kelly Oubre Jr.'s college career has come to a close.

The Kansas freshman guard has decided to declare for the NBA Draft, the school confirmed Wednesday.

"I'm leaving the University of Kansas for the upcoming NBA Draft," said Oubre. "It's always been a dream to play in the NBA. This is an opportunity to play against the best in the world and expand my game in hopes of someday becoming one of those great players. It's been a great year. I've been blessed to be here at the University of Kansas. I was blessed to go through the things that I went through and I was blessed to play for coach. He taught me a lot this year, the little things that will help out my game a lot."

The 6-foot-7 New Orleans, La. native averaged 9.3 points and 5 rebounds last season and was a Wayman Tisdale Award finalist.

Oubre started 27 games for the Jayhawks, missing only one of the last 26 games - on Senior Night - as senior Christian Garrett replaced him.

"This should come as really no surprise to anybody that has followed us," said Kansas head coach Bill Self. "Kelly came in being well thought of by NBA personnel and certainly, nothing has changed in that regard. In the time he was here he's been a great ambassador, a great teammate and, obviously, a very talented player."

Oubre said he'd spoken to a few people in making this decision, including current Philadelphia 76ers center, and former Kansas player, Joel Embiid.

Oubre is projected to go 13th overall by DraftExpress.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox