Kansas basketball: KJ Adams’ growth has been a huge asset for KU

KJ Adams

When KJ Adams committed to Kansas in 2020, he was a raw talent. His athleticism and length were there, but his lack of muscle and technique hindered his impact on KU in his freshman season. Now in 2022-23, Adams is the X-factor of a potential championship-winning team.

Adams was recently named the Big 12 Most Improved Player of the Year, scoring 1.0 points and averaging 0.8 rebounds last season to this year’s 10.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. He has also bulked up to 225 pounds and put on noticeable muscle.

His role with Bill Self was an unknown coming into the season. Ernest Udeh Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor are more natural centers who were expected to be a vital part of the team. Instead, Adams has stepped up in a big way, taking most of the big man minutes in the lineup.

Not even Self was sure who would be the team’s center coming into the season. In an interview with KUsports.com, he told reporters this:

"“I kept telling our big guys, ‘Guys, if somebody doesn’t start rebounding and defending the way we want and those sorts of things, I’m going to move KJ to the 5.’ And that eliminates a lot of opportunities for folks.”"

He is more of an athletic 4 than an authentic 5, as his 6′ 7″ frame would not pass for the average NBA center. However, he has done his job perfectly at Kansas while playing the center position. Adams provides his team with effort and scrappy defense that a taller, slower big man could not.

Self has shown the willingness to adjust while making Adams the team’s primary big man. He has had the luxury of true centers such as David McCormack and Udoka Azubuike in past seasons. This year has been entirely different.

There were murmurs that Adams would transfer out of Kansas after his first year due to a shortage of playing time. He shut down those rumors and said he never even considered transferring from KU, knowing he had to improve considerably to see the floor more often. And he has done just that.

Adams always makes hustle plays on the hardwood, whether in the high post, setting screens, or tipping in shots. He’s even displayed the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop, and his quickness allows him to fly by other big men. His growth as a slasher gives Kansas a diverse talent on the offensive end. He has proved himself this year, and Adams will be an integral part of the Jayhawks program for years to come.