Kansas basketball: Kevin McCullar invited to the NBA Draft Combine

After receiving an invite to the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, it remains more and more unlikely that Kevin McCullar will return to Kansas basketball.

Kevin McCullar would bolster the Kansas Jayhawks roster next season. He is eligible for a super senior season and is currently testing the NBA Draft waters, where most publications believe him to be a late second-round pick.

He received an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, and he will undoubtedly attend. His plan was to get drafted after one season spent with the Jayhawks, and his opportunity is now there for him to go and achieve.

McCullar has until May 31st to withdraw his name from the draft, but that will likely never come to fruition. With just one scholarship remaining and Mackenzie Mgbako or Hunter Dickinson likely committing, it is hard to see where he might fit.

His defensive prowess and leadership on the court have him lined up to hear his name on draft day. However, he still has weaknesses in his game that NBA scouts may notice quickly.

The Texas Tech transfer only shot 29.6 percent from the three-point line during the 2022-23 season. In the NBA, that percentage isn’t going to cut it. He also averaged 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in his lone season with Kansas.

While the invite is quite the accomplishment, McCullar will have a tough decision about where to play basketball in 2023-24. Even Bill Self himself said he wanted McCullar to return to school.

Self has developed many players during his time in Lawrence and can give McCullar the opportunity to become a higher-valued offensive player. McCullar needs to be consistent with his jump shot and driving skills if he wants to make a living in the NBA, and at the moment, only one aspect of his game is there day in and day out.

There is a good chance McCullar joins Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson in being drafted next season. More clarity should be released in the future.