Wayne Selden Declares for 2016 NBA Draft: Latest Comments and Reaction

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

University of Kansas shooting guard Wayne Selden Jr. officially declared for the 2016 NBA draft Tuesday after the Jayhawks' Elite Eight loss to Villanova.

Kansas passed along news of Selden's decision in a program release, and Selden had these words:

The last three years have been a true blessing to experience as a Jayhawk, an opportunity I am so thankful for. That being said, I'd like to announce that I will be declaring for the 2016 NBA draft. It has always been our plan that my college experience would be three years. I plan to hire representation in the coming weeks.

I want to thank the Kansas fans for their support as a Jayhawk over the years. The support is unmatched and has been the driving force in games. I would like to thank each of my brothers. Together we battled through the tough and celebrated the good. Giving our all for one another. I'd also like to thank Coach Self and the entire Kansas basketball staff. I've received three years of meaningful experiences and guidance both on and off the court.

Selden averaged fewer than 10 points per game during each of his first two seasons in Lawrence, Kansas, but his junior campaign represented a coming-out party of sorts.

In 34 appearances prior to the NCAA tournament, Selden averaged 13.3 points while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from three.

"I'm trying to take more efficient shots," Selden told Bleacher Report's C.J. Moore. "Last year, I feel like I settled for those [long two-point shots] because I would be hesitant at times to go by (my man), but now I know, pull up for the three or drive it, or if he backs up, take the mid-range. I'm just being aggressive."

Being aggressive is certainly something Selden excels at. An imposing presence listed between 6'5'' and 6'6'' at 223 pounds, per DraftExpress, Selden already looks like a prototypical NBA wing at 21 years old. 

"Selden has almost everything you want from a physical standpoint in a wing player, standing 6'5” with an impressive 6'10'' wingspan to match," DraftExpress' Josh Riddell wrote. "He has a strong frame that is already developed for a player of his age and allows him to compete physically on a nightly basis."

Those physical tools were on display when Selden dunked all over Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, as the conference's official Twitter account documented: 

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Not only can Selden use his freakish athleticism to slice through defenses with or without the ball on offense, but it makes him a versatile defender who can guard positions 1-3 at the next level.

However, questions still linger regarding Selden's ability to create shots off the bounce—especially when the speed of the game slows down and forces him to operate in the half court. Riddell added: 

Selden does not possess a very quick first step, as he often relies on his brute strength to shed defenders en route to the lane, often resorting to push off to get a clean look. On top of that, he's a relatively average ball-handler, showing little in the way of advanced moves or craftiness weaving in and out of traffic with change of speeds.

The good news for Selden is that he improved his three-point shot enough as a junior to the point where he could garner interest in the draft as a future three-and-D contributor. 

So even though he doesn't pack the upside of an 18- or 19-year-old prospect, Selden should be an intriguing and fairly refined target for teams drafting toward the late stages of the first round and early portions of the second round.