The NBA regular season has come to a close, and the Kansas basketball program was well-represented throughout the year. A total of 13 former Jayhawks appeared in games at some point this season.
Two of those ex-KU stars include Jalen Wilson and Kevin McCullar, who recently met in a game. After the New York Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 113-105 in the season finale, the former teammates met with each other postgame and completed a wholesome jersey swap:
Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk 🫶#RockChalk x @NBA pic.twitter.com/x6O44jK15d
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) April 14, 2025
Jalen Wilson, Kevin McCullar swap jerseys for their respective NY teams
After Kansas won the national title in 2022, McCullar took his talents from Texas Tech to KU and spent the ensuing two years in Lawrence. He was a key piece on the 2022-23 squad that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which happened to be Wilson's most productive campaign at the college level.
That year, Wilson won Big 12 Player of the Year and took home Consensus First-Team All-America honors. He would declare for the NBA Draft and be picked No. 51 overall by the Nets. McCullar took on more offensive responsibilities in 2023-24, making massive strides in his game and eventually being drafted No. 56 overall in 2024.
Wilson and McCullar shared the floor in crunch time when they faced off yesterday, marking the first time the duo ever played against each other since McCullar played at TTU. Wilson scored 18 points, grabbed four rebounds, and assisted four baskets. Meanwhile, McCullar played a career-high 22 minutes, adding four points, eight rebounds, a steal, and a block.
McCullar needed several months to rehab back to full health from the knee injury that ended his Jayhawk career. He spent some time in Westchester with the Knicks' G League affiliate before moving up to the pro squad toward the end of the season. It was the first game that he played non-garbage time minutes in since New York sat its normal starters.
Although Wilson's season is officially over with the Nets, McCullar will travel with the Knicks as their postseason run begins. The two players could be a subway ride apart from each other if they carve out long-term roles with their teams.