Kansas Jayhawks Basketball: Svi Mykhailiuk Returning to KU For Senior Season

Svi Mykhailiuk announced via his instagram page (kids these days) that he is returning to Kansas for his senior season rather than entering the NBA Draft. My personal speculation was that he was attempting to secure a promise from an NBA team that they’d take him, which is why he waited so long to announce.

It’s not as big of a deal for Svi to come back than say Devonte Graham due to his age. Svi will be 21 and about 2 weeks for the 2018 NBA Draft, so he still has time on his side. For reference sake, he’s four months younger than Josh Jackson. While I thought he could have benefited from getting into a pro system, there is no doubt that Kansas is better for Svi coming back.

The issue then becomes the starting lineup. We will have time to explore this more in detail, but Kansas will probably have to play a lot of small ball with Svi, Devonte Graham, Malik Newman, Lagerald Vick, and Marcus Garrett all in the backcourt to start the year, with Sam Cunliffe eligible at semester. Meanwhile, the frontcourt has just Udoka Azubuike, Jack Whitman, and Mitch Lightfoot. (Edit: I originally left out Billy Preston. I’d make a statement about how forgetting a McDonald’s All-American speaks to this team’s depth but I just am forgetful. Thanks @BrettRadsall for tweeting.)