Kansas basketball standout Gradey Dick declares for 2023 NBA Draft

Kansas basketball star Gradey Dick is declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, the Wichita native announced on his social media accounts Friday.

"As a kid from Kansas, I have fulfilled my goal of playing at my dream college," Dick wrote in a statement. "I cannot thank Jayhawk Nation enough for the love and support you have shown to me and my family."

Dick, a freshman, played and started in all 36 games Kansas (28-8) played. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also set the record for 3s made in a season by a freshman for the school. He racked up an extensive list of honors, as well, including being named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team and the All-Big 12 Second Team. He was a Jerry West Award finalist and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week three times.

Kansas spent most of the 2022-23 season around the top of the AP Top 25, in no small part thanks to Dick's contributions. But they were upset by the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — one of many upsets to come from this year's March Madness.

“I mean, obviously this is not how I wanted it to end up," Dick told the Capital-Journal. "But every game, I just wanted to go out there and cherish every moment because being a Jayhawk was my — always been my goal growing up. The fact that I got to play with this group of guys is special.”

Dick, at 6-foot-8 and 205 pounds, is one of the top prospects in this year's draft class. ESPN ranks him at No. 11 overall and No. 4 at his position. Overall, he's ranked behind only the likes of Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Jarace Walker, among others.

The 18-year-old demonstrated throughout the season his ability to play with poise and ice games when he needed to. But his poise isn't the biggest reason Dick is expected to be a lottery pick — it's his shooting. Dick shot 40% from beyond the arc, and he's hard to cover at any level of the game.

The 2023 NBA Draft is slated for Thursday, June 22.

More: Gradey Dick says he ‘had a blast’ playing his freshman year of college basketball at KU

Gabriela Velasquez is a planner and audience engagement specialist based out of Columbia, Mo. You can find her on Twitter @not_gabriela.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Gradey Dick, Kansas Jayhawks star, declares for 2023 NBA Draft