Kevin McCullar
Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick are the two players that are recognized the most on this Kansas squad. Wilson is considered a top 3 player in all of college basketball, and Dick is one of the best true freshmen in the sport. But there are several other players who make KU as good as they are.
Kevin McCullar has been one of the more impactful players for the Jayhawks this season. After pulling his name out of the NBA Draft pool, he transferred to come to play in Lawrence after playing his first three years of college at Texas Tech. A familiar face in Big 12 games, McCullar has been a vital piece in the rotation for Bill Self this year.
The 6′ 6″ senior has given the Jayhawks important defense and hustle at the wing position. A key block and some clutch free throws from McCullar essentially won them the game against TCU.
Kevin McCullar
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) February 21, 2023
Special defender pic.twitter.com/An3cHHapAS
Even if his offensive game is not too polished, McCullar has been exceptional at getting to the line for Kansas. In his last nine contests, he is shooting 6.2 free throws per game at an 80.4% clip. He has also recorded 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game during that span while scoring more than 12 points.
At his size, McCullar is very good at being a playmaker for the offense. His long frame and 6′ 9″ wingspan make him a tough defender to score against on both the perimeter and the paint.
The only thing that can be criticized about his game is his jump shot. He is shooting a career-low 27.5% from three-point range, a number that has dropped even lower in conference play. Still, the fact that he can contribute so much to the Jayhawks while struggling from the outside emphasizes just how important a player he is.
There is a chance that McCullar garners some NBA interest after the college season ends. When testing out his skills at the G-League Elite Camp, he had one of the fastest 3/4-court sprint times and a 37.5-inch vertical. Scouts say that he has “uncommon lateral quickness”.
McCullar is irreplaceable for Kansas, as he gives them so many positive qualities. He and Dajuan Harris are the glue guys for this team with their combination of defense and playmaking.
A player that McCullar could be compared to is ex-Kansas guard Marcus Garrett. Although he does not provide the same ball-handling skills Garrett did, the two still were one of the best defensive players in the nation during their time at KU. McCullar is often given the task of guarding the other team’s best player, and his defensive prowess will need to be shown come NCAA Tournament time.