Kansas Basketball: What will happen to Lagerald Vick now that he’s withdrawn from the NBA Draft?

Lagerald Vick of Kansas Basketball has decided not to stay in the 2018 NBA Draft. What are his options now that he’s back in college?

After losing in the Final Four to the eventual national champions Villanova, Kansas Basketball started to look ahead to the 2018-19 season. The team was limited in depth all this past season because of scholarship situations, but that won’t be an issue next year.

Three quality transfers will be eligible to play, as well as another nationally ranked recruiting class. But first, some decisions needed to be made concerning some underclassmen.

This past week, big man Udoka Azubuike decided to return. That was the opposite of guard Malik Newman, whose draft stock exploded after a huge March. He followed junior guard Lagerald Vick, who choose to leave for the draft and sign with an agent.

Or did he?

Vick was an afterthought in the college basketball world, with many assuming that he was gone forever. But as the deadline came closer, rumors started to swirl that the Jayhawk may not be staying in the draft. It was made official after the deadline, with the family saying that he won’t be going pro.

From his standpoint, this is the right move. He wasn’t listed on any of the various mock drafts or even on the big boards, and might have been straight on the path to Europe. So now he’ll be going back to Kansas right?

Not necessarily. When looking for a reaction from Kansas Head Coach Bill Self, let’s just say it was cool at best.

It’s not known whether Vick and Self have had issues, but it seems like returning back to Kansas isn’t a viable option. Considering how crowded the backcourt and the wings will be next season, it might not be a bad thing.

Problem is, however, will be what Vick does next if a return isn’t happening. His academics are unknown, and he’s been at the school for three years without a redshirt year. He’d have to graduate from the school in order to become a grad transfer and be able to play next year without sitting out.

What now?

If that doesn’t work, Vick could transfer to another school and sit out for one season, and play his final year afterward with that new team. Players have done it in the past, but they’re at the mercy of not having the ability to move if things go sour. Marcus Lee’s adventure at Cal this past season is a prime example of that.

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Vick averaged 12.1 ppg and 4.8 rpg in his first season as a starter and showed signs of being a true impact player on a contending team. He’ll have to figure out his situation with the Jayhawks before making his next move. In the meanwhile, expect teams to be monitoring the situation, just in case a talented player becomes available.