KU’s Kevin McCullar selected by Knicks in NBA Draft

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – Kansas forward Kevin McCullar was drafted Thursday during the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

McCullar was picked 56th overall by the New York Knicks. They acquired the pick in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. The trade sent the Suns the 40th pick for the 51st and 56th picks.

The San Antonio, Texas, native averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game during his final season with the Jayhawks. He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection during his five-year collegiate career, which included three seasons at Texas Tech.

“Kevin is a first-round player and I think anybody that saw him healthy this year would agree to that,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a release from the school. “Kevin will play in the league for a long time and the Knicks got one of the toughest players we have had in our program. We are all excited that Kevin heard his named called. He will be a great fit to a playoff team and such a storied franchise.”

McCullar is the 31st player coached by Bill Self at Kansas to be drafted into the NBA. For large portions of the 2023-24 season, McCullar was expected to be a first-round pick. A nagging knee injury for the 6-foot-6 wing hurt his draft stock during the season.

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After going back and forth between playing and resting, McCullar was eventually held out of the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament. He watched from the sidelines as KU lost in the Round of 32 to Gonzaga.

“Unfortunately, Kevin got injured at the end of January wasn’t the same the rest of the season and had a setback after the season as well,” Self added. “He wants it bad and he will respond. He will do well in New York.”

McCullar reportedly had a procedure done on his injured knee following the conclusion of the season and was unable to participate in pre-draft workouts with NBA teams.

He joins his teammate, KU guard Johnny Furphy, as the second Jayhawk selected in the 2024 NBA Draft.

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