Kansas basketball mid-season player grades: Which Jayhawks have performed the best?

With finals in the rear-view mirror and the Kansas basketball nonconference schedule finished, it is time to start looking back at the first half of the season and how the players have graded out. 14 games are remaining in the conference schedule, and with the postseason tournaments, there still is plenty of time for these players to maintain or improve their first-half grades.

The Jayhawks sit at 15-2 on the season and have multiple big-time wins to their credit, including Kentucky, UConn, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The Jayhawks have put themselves in a great position to earn another No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

All-A Honor Roll

Kevin McCullar: A+

Kevin McCullar came back for his super senior year with great expectations. Without question, he has exceeded them all. Known as a lockdown defender and glue type of player, he has proven this year he is more than that. He has remained an elite defender but has taken his offensive game to a whole new level. Kev is shooting the ball lights out at 36.1% from three and 48.2% overall. His previous high from 3-point range was 31%. Kevin's offensive game has taken the next step, as we have now witnessed from previous stars Jalen Wilson and Ochai Agbaji. Kev leads the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game. McCullar also has averaged 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 2.6 turnovers per game.

Hunter Dickinson: A

Hunter has been as advertised. Big Hunt has come in and dominated on the offensive side of the floor. He has been a force down low, in the mid-range game, and from deep. The only thing keeping him from the A+ range has been his defense. While it has been on an uptick the last couple of games, he has struggled in the pick and roll and protecting the rim. His offensive game has been great, as many teams have tried to double and take him out of the game. Hunter averages 19.3 points per game, 11.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers. Hunter is shooting 60.7% from the field and 44.4% from three.

KJ Adams: A

KJ is an elite defender who can guard anyone in front of him, from the opposing point guard to their center. KJ has done a great job of bringing the energy and defensive effort. On top of that, he has become KU’s 3rd leading scorer and a consistent finisher in the short roll and at the rim. He has expanded his game to being a facilitator and often brings the ball up in transition as well. KJ has averaged 12.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.7 turnovers.