If and when the NBA comes knocking, Bill Self says he hasn't closed the door to the possibility of leaving the college ranks behind.
Self has accomplished much in his 10 years at Kansas, but those credentials have apparently fallen short thus far of what top NBA executives are looking for in their quests for the up-and-coming coach du jour.
"It hasn't really tempted me because I haven't had that many people talk to me about it," Self said Monday night, speaking to The Oklahoman during ceremonies in which he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. "But at some point and time, sure, I think it would.
"It would be great to be able to match wits with the best athletes in the world, but I'm certainly happy where I'm at."
Last September, Kansas rewarded Self with a restructured contract that extends through the 2021-22 season and includes a raise to $3.86 million per year.
What the deal didn't include, however, was a buyout-penalty clause, meaning he is free to take an NBA job without the threat of financial repercussions.
"I'm not saying I never would," Self said of coaching in the NBA. "But I'm locked in."
In winning 84 percent of their games in his decade-long tenure in Lawrence, Self's Jayhawks have taken the 2008 national title and were runners-up in 2012 to Kentucky. They have also claimed nine Big 12 championships.
"The biggest thing is you will never be happy as a coach unless you know you can attract good players," Self said, according to The Oklahoman. "I'm fortunate to coach at a place where the product is so good we're always going to get, at least I hope so, some pretty good players.
"I love it at Kansas, and they love basketball there. I've been very fortunate to coach at such a tradition-rich place."
