Kansas basketball: Kevin McCullar return looming with Zuby Ejiofor’s transfer?

Zuby Ejiofor recently transferred from the Kansas basketball program. Could Kevin McCullar return for one final year and replace his spot?

The Kansas Jayhawks are completely revamping their roster. They have lost seven players to the transfer portal and three to the NBA Draft. Additionally, KU is expecting four incoming freshmen and three incoming transfers.

Among the three potential draftees, Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson will undoubtedly be selected by an NBA team. However, the same can not be said about Kevin McCullar. Scouts project him to be a mid to late second-round pick. Even with an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, there is some uncertainty regarding whether he will be picked.

While most signs point to McCullar staying in the draft and hoping to hear his name called, nothing is set in stone. He has until May 31st to withdraw his name from the pool.

The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals during his lone season in Lawrence. He transferred from Texas Tech after spending three years there. McCullar was a semifinalist for National Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior.

With Kyle Cuffe and Ejiofor transferring, Kansas has filled out 10 of its 12 scholarship spots. One of them is expected to be taken up by wings Mackenzie Mgbako or Jaylon Tyson.

That leaves KU with one remaining scholarship. Who better to give it to than McCullar? If he decided to return, Bill Self would welcome him back with open arms.

It is unbeknownst to the public who Kansas is looking to replace Ejiofor with. They could acquire more big-man depth, but Ernest Udeh Jr. is a quality backup center.

The deadline is in more than three weeks, so it does place Bill Self’s staff in a predicament. They could miss out on other top-notch players in the transfer portal while they await McCullar’s decision. With that being said, if he returns for a super senior season, it is hard to see any school but Kansas as the preseason No. 1 team.