Kansas G Chalmers to enter NBA draft

Apr 23, 2008 - 8:21 PM LAWRENCE, Kansas (Ticker) -- The hero of the national championship game, Kansas guard Mario Chalmers declared for the NBA draft Wednesday.

The junior point guard will not hire an agent, leaving the option to return to the school for his senior season.

"This has been an unbelievable three years for me at Kansas," Chalmers said. "I appreciate all the love that the fans, my teammates and coaches have shown me. It has been a great honor to be a part of this University, to be part of such a great team and to win a national championship."

Chalmers was named to the Big 12 Conference All-Defensive team, averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals, but he will be most remembered for his heroics on April 7.

The Jayhawks trailed by three with time winding down in regulation when Chalmers drained the game-tying 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining.

Kansas (37-3) went on to control overtime and won their first national championship since 1988, 75-68, over Memphis.

Chalmers, who was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, will be the third underclassman to leave school after Darrell Arthur and Brandon Rush declared for the draft last Thursday.