Kansas Basketball: Don’t undersell Lagerald Vick’s return for the Jayhawks

Lagerald Vick bypassed the opportunity to go pro or transfer to return to a Kansas Jayhawks team loaded for a championship run.

Just because the NBA Draft came and went doesn’t mean there aren’t big decisions left to be made by college basketball players. One of those players was Lagerald Vick.

Emphasis on the past tense.

The rising senior made his decision on Friday, choosing to return to the Kansas Jayhawks for one final season.

Just a few months ago, it seemed as if Vick would be a goner. He wanted to move on to the professional ranks, even though a shot at the NBA seemed unlikely. Without signing an agent, he withdrew from the NBA Draft process, but didn’t necessarily declare his intentions to return to school.

Now, he’s returning to a loaded Jayhawks team that could – should – be the best squad in the country.

Vick was a full-time starter during the team’s run to the Final Four this past season. He averaged 12.1 points per game, connecting on 37.3% of his three-point attempts.

Believe it or not, he might not be able to start next season in Bill Self’s rotation. His role will be diminished by one of the best incoming player classes nationwide.

There are four other scholarship guards on the roster: Quentin Grimes, Charlie Moore, Devon Dotson, Marcus Garrett and Sam Cunliffe. The Lawson brothers also officially arrive from the transfer market, although they are set to play forward.

Grimes and Dotson, both freshmen, are considered top-five recruits at their positions of combo guard and point guard, respectively.

Even if Vick is squeezed out of playing time – his abilities and limitations are relatively set for a college player – his presence alone is valuable. Kansas will resemble the Kentucky’s and Duke’s of recent years, young and talented.

The Jayhawks will need veteran leadership; Vick will be the team’s only senior, and one of just three upperclassmen on the roster.

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So don’t undersell Lagerald Vick’s return to Lawrence. He could be the key cog to Kansas’ first title since 2008.