Kansas basketball: KJ Adams traveling to Hawaii despite his mother’s passing

Kansas basketball forward KJ Adams is expected to arrive in Hawaii tomorrow for the Maui Invitational even though his mother passed on Friday.

KJ Adams, the recipient of the 2023 Big 12 Most Improved Player award, is one of the most positive players Bill Self has ever coached, but his personal life has been far from easy. His mother, Yvonne — who has been battling stage four metastatic bladder cancer since his freshman season — passed away this week, which we learned from his Instagram post and a statement from KU Athletics.

The Kansas basketball team left for Hawaii that same day for the Maui Invitational, which kicks off tomorrow versus Chaminade. KJ stayed at the hospital with his mother while the team flew in. Obviously, nobody would have faulted him if he decided to stay home during this tough time, but according to this report from The Kansas City Star’s Gary Bedore, we could see him in action this week.

In the tweet, he writes: “Bill Self said KJ is planning on arriving in Hawaii Monday. May not be here in time for game and may not be ready for that game since hasn’t practiced if he does arrive in time. Sounds like he’ll play in second round game.”

We can infer that he won’t play tomorrow from Bedore’s tweet. Kansas might be short in the frontcourt, but if he does return by the second-round matchup he’ll only be absent against Chaminade, which is a Division II school.

Adams is averaging 14 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game across KU’s three games this year. Johnny Furphy and Nick Timberlake will be candidates to fill in for him in the starting lineup in round one.

It is absolutely remarkable that KJ is joining his teammates for the tournament. One thing is for certain — he will be playing his hardest in dedication to his mother.