Winners and losers from the NBA Draft declarations

Winners and losers of the NBA Draft declarations

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to a play against the Auburn Tigers during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the NIT Season Tip-Off at the Barclays Center on Nov. 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /

Winner: Kansas

Things looked dire for Kansas, who actually entered last season as the preseason No. 1 team, but saw their year get derailed by injuries.

The Jayhawks ended up getting knocked out in the Round of 32, but a whole slew of players declared for the draft, meaning this depleted core was about to get even thinner.

Recruits also stayed away from Kansas in droves, with this year marking the first time in forever that Bill Self hasn’t landed at least a top-50 recruit to date. With a seeming lack of talent in the cupboard, it looked as if dark times could be looming for Kansas.

The Jayhawks got a big break early on when center Udoka Azubuike, whose season-ending injury was the beginning of the end for Kansas, opted to return to school for his senior year.

That choice was unexpected since Azubuike has pro potential and has had two straight years impacted by injury, but it was a boon for Kansas.

The NCAA also did Kansas a solid by letting big man Silvio De Sousa become eligible again for the upcoming season.

De Sousa didn’t play last year after reports emerged that his guardians received payments in exchange for steering him towards Kansas, but now that he is eligible again the Jayhawks add a valuable piece to the front court.

The Jayhawks also are getting back guard Devon Dotson, who had a solid freshman season before testing the draft waters. Dotson’s return should give Kansas enough impact players to contend for a Big 12 title, something that was far from certain just a week ago.