Former Kansas Jayhawk Kevin McCullar makes long-awaited pro basketball debut

A large reason why the Kansas basketball team struggled immensely toward the end of last season was Kevin McCullar's absence. The two-time All-Big 12 Team selection missed eight games, including the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, due to a bone bruise in his knee.

While injury concerns plummeted his draft stock — McCullar was once a projected first-round pick — he was still taken No. 56 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns and later traded to the New York Knicks. It took longer than expected, but the former Jayhawk is finally healthy and took the floor for the Westchester Knicks on Thursday, the Knicks' G League affiliate.

Kevin McCullar appears in first professional game of NBA career

In 16 minutes, the 6-foot-6 wing scored 10 points on nine shots, assisting one basket and recording a steal. He came off the bench for Westchester and should see his role gradually increase as his recovery ramps up.

McCullar is one of three players on the Knicks with a two-way contract, along with Jacob Toppin and Matt Ryan. Two-way players are only eligible to be active for 50 games per season, but that won't make a difference since the NBA is more than halfway through its campaign.

After spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Texas Tech, McCullar transferred to Kansas in 2022. He played a complementary role in his first season at KU but came into his own as a super-senior. The San Antonio native led the Big 12 in scoring in 2023-24, averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in a breakout campaign.

It would not be surprising to see McCullar join the Knicks occasionally after the All-Star break. However, given Tom Thibodeau's track record of playing starters for extensive minutes and prioritizing veterans over youngsters, the Kansas product could very well see the court only a few times this season.