Kansas Jayhawks’ David McCormack will leave KU on top, declares for 2022 NBA Draft
Kansas senior men’s basketball power forward David McCormack has decided to enter his name in the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced Tuesday on Instagram.
McCormack, 6-foot-10, 250 pounds from Norfolk, Virginia, averaged 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds a game during KU’s just completed 34-6 national championship season. He had been eligible to return for an additional season granted by the NCAA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a true privilege to call myself a Jayhawk … and now it’s time to chase a life long dream. Rock Chalk Forever,” McCormack wrote on Instagram.
In his message to fans, he wrote: “After talking with my family and coaches I have decided to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft. I can’t imagine ending my career at Kansas better than we did this past season, as national champions. Rock Chalk!”
He also wrote in his message: “Man, what a ride these last four years have been. It’s crazy to think how much I’ve grown both on and off the court — as a person and player. For that I have to thank our coaches, my teammates and of course my family. I also want to thank Jayhawk nation and those who always believed in me. This place is special because of you and there truly is no place like Kansas.”
McCormack is a communication studies graduate pursuing a master’s in digital content strategy. He has a 3.50 GPA. He is a three-time academic all-Big 12 first team selection (2020, 2021 and 2022).
He averaged 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in KU’s Final Four wins versus Villanova and North Carolina.
“We are all excited for David,” KU coach Bill Self said. “What David did in the NCAA Tournament puts him in a position that he can capitalize on this. We should all appreciate everything he has given to us throughout his career at Kansas and we are certainly not national champs without his efforts and sacrifices he made to our program. This is a good day and we respect and support David in his wishes.”
With McCormack and Ochai Agbaji declining super senior seasons, KU now has 13 players on the current roster for the 2022-23 season. Teams are allowed 13 scholarship players. KU senior-to-be Christian Braun and junior-to-be Jalen Wilson have decisions to make regarding returning to school or entering the draft.
This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Kansas Jayhawks’ David McCormack will leave KU on top, declares for 2022 NBA Draft."
