NBA Draft 2011: Kansas Jayhawks Basketball, Who Should Stay and Who Should Go?

For most schools, a Big 12 regular season title, Big 12 tournament title and an appearance in the Elite Eight would be a pretty successful season.

For Kansas fans, it simply wasn't good enough.  A team full of experienced players with NBA talent was supposed to reach the Final Four, right?

Well, that's all over but the crying.  What's not over is trying to figure out how the Kansas Jayhawks will look in terms of players next season.

Five members of the Kansas basketball team who still have college eligibility are contemplating making the jump to the NBA.

As the decisions get closer, let's take a look at who should stay at Kansas and who should go for the gold (literally and metaphorically).

5. Tyshawn Taylor

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 27: Tyshawn Taylor #10 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the southwest regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at the Alamodome on March 27, 2011 in San Antonio, Texa

Yr: Junior

Ht: 6'3"

Wt: 185

Season Statistics: 9.3 PPG, 4.6 APG

Tyshawn is one of those guys who, at times, you either love or hate.  It's been evident that he is incredibly talented and has great vision on the court.  He may not give up an open shot for a good pass like Brady Morningstar was known to do, but he has the ability to rack up the assists.  

That said, he makes some insanely dumb passes that make Kansas fans groan.  He has good size and athletic ability for the NBA and has been on the radar this season for a few NBA scouts.

His shot has also improved in his time at Kansas, shooting nearly 48 percent on the season.  He can find ways to drive the lane and has a sweet kiss off of the glass that almost always goes in.  He's more of a close-range shooter, as he only made 19 three-pointers on the season.  That's certainly something he'll need to improve.

Some people started comparing him to how people viewed Rajon Rondo when he was coming out of Kentucky, but I wouldn't go that far yet.  I think he'll have a good future in the NBA, but I think he's still a bit too immature to be playing in the league.

Tyshawn should come back for his senior season at Kansas to prove to NBA scouts he can limit his mistakes and improve the range on his shot.

Prediction: Stays at Kansas

4. Josh Selby

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 25: Josh Selby #32 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the southwest regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Richmond Spiders at the Alamodome on March 25, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. Kansas defeated R

Yr: Freshman

Ht: 6'2"

Wt: 183

Season Statistics: 7.9 PPG, 2.2 APG

This may be the most one-sided argument of all the Jayhawks looking at the NBA.  On one side, all of the Kansas fanbase.  On the other side, Josh Selby.

Coming into this season, most people came to the conclusion that he'd be a one-and-done guy like Xavier Henry.  Then came the suspension to begin the season and that all changed.

In Selby's first game as a Jayhawk against USC, he finished with 21 points, including 5-of-8 from three-point land and the game-winning shot.  

A few games into the Big 12 conference season, Selby injured his foot and was sidelined for three games.  This is what destroyed his chances of being able to perform to his ability.  

When Selby was out, the Jayhawks didn't miss a beat and it resulted in Selby riding the bench.  Selby didn't score in double figures once the rest of the season.  It wasn't that he wasn't getting a chance, he just couldn't get his shot to fall and wasn't as effective as he proved he could be.

Now, let's look at it closely.  Everyone says the NBA drafts off of potential, which may be true, but the fact of the matter is that Josh Selby isn't ready for the NBA yet.  He missed too many games to fully develop his game on the collegiate level, let alone the NBA.  Xavier Henry was just about ready to leave for the NBA and he had a full year to prepare.  

Here's the way I see it.  If I were to tell you I'd give you $1 million now or $5 million a year from today, which one would you take?  That's honestly what one more year at Kansas would do for Josh Selby.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported yesterday that Selby was working out in Vegas for a few days, which means he's being told all sorts of things right now.

He shouldn't be in a rush to leave—he is going to be a great NBA player, but he has to give himself time to develop.  Selby should return for his sophomore season at Kansas.  That said, the kid has NBA dreams and let's hope he doesn't jump the gun.

Prediction: Stays at Kansas

3. Thomas Robinson

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 25: Thomas Robinson #0 of the Kansas Jayhawks smiles after a play against the Richmond Spiders during the southwest regional of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Alamodome on March 25, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas. (

Yr: Sophomore

Ht: 6'9"

Wt: 237

Season Statistics: 7.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG

T-Rob looks like the next generation of Dwight Howard, doesn't he?  The kid is an absolute beast and on top of that, he is insanely athletic.

Robinson has the strength to handle most of the big men in college basketball and is going to make a great NBA player one day.  He has the size and athleticism that any NBA program would like to draft.

He plays tough defense and is strong inside, whether it's pulling down rebounds or holding a block party in the paint.  Most of his points come in the paint, usually off of offensive rebounds.

What Robinson needs to do is develop an outside jumper that could push his NBA draft stock through the roof.  His outside shot wasn't something that Kansas depended on this season but could make him more of a dual-threat player.

When it comes to the NBA, most people know about his situation with losing his mother and grandparents earlier in the season.  This kid has been through a lot this season and whatever decision he makes he won't be looked down on for doing so.

If the money is there then take it and run, especially if you have someone you need to take care of.  If T-Rob decides to come back to Kansas and the twins leave, he'll be given the true opportunity to start and shine for Kansas.  Mark my words, he'll be the most dominant big man in college basketball next season if he returns for his junior season.

Either way, he'll find a very successful career in the NBA.

Prediction: Stays at Kansas

2. Markieff Morris

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 12: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks slautes the crowd during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Yr: Junior

Ht: 6'10"

Wt: 245

Season Statistics: 13.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG

Markieff Morris improved incredibly this season as he seemed to close the gap between him and his twin brother, Marcus.  Not only was Markieff nasty on the boards but his shot developed as well.

Markieff shot nearly 59 percent from the field and had 13 double-doubles for Kansas during his junior season.  He also shot 25-of-59 (42 percent) from beyond the arc, which was a surprise to many Kansas fans.  His ability to step out on the baseline and drain jumpers forced big men to come out of the paint and guard him on the perimeter. 

Markieff stands a little taller than his brother, which helps his case for the NBA.  If you have two players of the same caliber but one is taller, why not take Markieff?  While that probably won't be the case in the draft, Markieff should turn into a solid NBA player as long as he can develop his dribble some more.

While it was evident that Markieff wanted an NCAA championship during his time at Kansas ("I go hard no days off.... F.O.E"), the truth is that he is ready for the NBA.  While another year at Kansas would be nice for the fans, I don't see why he would turn down the money.  He earned it.  He should go and get it.

But hey, if he wants to come back for his senior season I won't be complaining.

Prediction: Leaves for NBA

1. Marcus Morris

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 27: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts during the southwest regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams at the Alamodome on March 27, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas.

Yr: Junior

Ht: 6'-9"

Wt: 235

Season Statistics: 17.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.6 APG

Marcus Morris was the face of Kansas basketball this season and for good reason.  The strides he made in a year with hard work and determination put him on the radar for the NBA back in December.  

Marcus is strong inside, can pull down rebounds and drain fadeaway shots on the baseline.  Like his brother, Marcus also developed a beautiful shot from long range.  During the 2010-2011 season, Marcus shot 26-of-72 (34 percent) from downtown and 57 percent from the field. 

He also has NBA-type moves that will help him create space against bigger defenders when he plays in the league.  He probably won't be a post player in the NBA, but if he can keep up his three-point shooting percentage then he should have a good career as a professional basketball player.

The only reason I can see the Morris twins staying at Kansas is if they decide they're not ready to be split apart.  Remember, these two have been side-by-side their whole lives and always see each other in the gym.  If they depart for the NBA, odds of them being on the same team don't look good.

For one, they'll both go in the first round in this year's draft.  I highly doubt Marcus would be taken in the top five, which means the Utah Jazz would be the only team with two picks in the first round that could potentially get both of the twins.  That's a long shot and in the end I think these two guys will learn to live apart for a while.

There's always Skype, isn't there?  My guess is that Marcus goes and gets the millions he deserves.

Prediction: Leaves for NBA

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