KU junior Dedric Lawson declares for the NBA project

The list of available scholarships for Bill Self and the Kansas men's basketball program was raised to three on Monday morning, when KU Dedric Lawson junior officially announced his intention to run for the NBA.

Lawson, a Memphis junior who averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds while recording 22 doubles doubles in his only season with the Jayhawks, announced his decision on Twitter, saying he had "a big new "and then made the following announcement.

"First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me the talent and the opportunities to play the game I love," he began. "I would also like to thank Coach Self, the KU's coaching staff, the educational consultants and the best fans of the country of the University of Kansas for allowing me to recreate myself and to display my talents. After the prayer and a discussion with my family, I will pursue the dream of my life by making a statement for the draft NBA. I will start my preparation for the NBA immediately. RockChalk JayHawk for life !! "

A source close to the Lawson family told The Journal-World that Lawson intended to hire an agent, which increases the chances that his departure from KU will be his final decision.

The door for a potential return to the KU might remain open in different ways, but it is not clear whether these paths are part of Lawson's plan.

The first comes into play when he asks, receives and is evaluated by the NBA's undergraduate advisory committee. Such a decision would allow him to work with an agent – which must be certified by the NBA Players Association – throughout the pre-draft process and return to school provided his name is removed from the pool by the date May 29th.

The second allows Lawson to maintain its representation throughout the project but would require two things after the June 20 project. First of all, Lawson should remain un-drawn. Secondly, if he is not chosen and wants to return to Kansas, he will have to break off his relationship with his agent before returning to Kansas.

Both paths seem unlikely for the 6-foot-9 striker who turned up on various fake game boards as a solid second-round pick.

Lawson news reduces the uncertainty of three-player KU: Udoka Azubuike junior center, second forward Silvio De Sousa and rookie guard Quentin Grimes.

Azubuike and Grimes are both considered potential candidates for early entry. When the Journal-World recently asked him what his players' status was with the decisions to be made, Self said he would encourage all his players interested in testing their NBA stock to do so.

"I think we're in a situation where guys are going to test, no doubt," Self told Journal-World. "And that would not surprise me either. I think it's something that should be looked at and that some guys should consider. "

As for De Sousa, he and his representation continue to appeal his two-year suspension from the NCAA, the results of which are likely to play an important role in determining De Sousa's immediate future.

If the call is rejected or if the procedure goes on, De Sousa could also qualify for an early entry test. If De Sousa wins the call, many people close to the program expect him to return to KU for his junior season.

As for badessing his level of surprise, six players in the 2018-19 lineup could leave this season – Charlie Moore and K.J. Lawson announced last week his transfer intentions. Self said that he and his staff were going forward baduming that all players interested in testing the waters of the NBA would be gone.

"Nothing would surprise me," he said. "You never know what these kids think."

Azubuike, Grimes and Potentially De Sousa have until April 21 to declare their intention to participate in the NBA 2019 project. They respect deadlines and follow guidelines to maintain their eligibility to college, they will all have until May 29 to withdraw from the list and return to Kansas.