As Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks look to navigate yet another NCAA Tournament, they’ll be significantly disadvantaged following the loss of one of their best players.
After re-aggravating a bone bruise in his knee suffered in February, leading scorer and second-leading rebounder Kevin McCullar was held out of the Big 12 Tournament in the hope that the extra week of rest would get the senior guard back for the NCAA Tournament.
Tuesday night, Self announced that wouldn’t be the case and that McCullar’s college career was over.
McCullar released a statement shortly later on his X account confirming the news.
— Kevin McCullar Jr. (@Kevin_McCullar) March 20, 2024
The statement thanked Kansas fans and expressed disappointment at the news while also getting into what the rehabilitation process has been like for the All-Big 12 first-team guard.
After spending his first two seasons with fellow Big 12 school Texas Tech, McCullar transferred to Kansas before the 2022-23 season and had a strong debut season with the Jayhawks, averaging a solid 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
In 2023-24, though, McCullar took a giant leap forward. He led all Jayhawks with 18.3 points per game to go along with six rebounds per game. McCullar also recorded a pair of triple-doubles this season, coming in back-to-back games in November against Kentucky and Chaminade. He’s the first player in Kansas history with back-to-back triple-doubles and just the seventh in NCAA history.
Kansas fans and teammates sent McCullar their well wishes Tuesday evening.
The ones in the locker room know all the work you put in behind the scenes to try to play for us for the last couple months. Love you my brother ❤️ https://t.co/v2XfYzTThs
— Hunter Dickinson (@H_Dickinson24) March 20, 2024
We'll miss you in the games but your health is more important Kevin. Rock Chalk.
— KCLeo (@KCLeo) March 20, 2024
My boy💯🤞🏽 https://t.co/aTPwMjRJxB
— Dajuan Harris (@DajuanH10) March 20, 2024
Poor guy. Not a fair ending to his college career. It has been a pleasure watching him and wish him nothing but the best. https://t.co/lrkNu3WG6l
— Jayhawk Nation (@KU_Owns_You) March 20, 2024