Kevin McCullar Jr. to withdraw from NBA draft, return to Kansas
Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. will withdraw from the 2023 NBA draft and return to school for one more season, the program announced on Wednesday.
McCullar was among the prospects invited to the combine last week in Chicago, Illinois. He opted to skip the on-court testing, such as the shuttle run and vertical jump, but participated in 5-on-5 scrimmages. He averaged three points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in two games.
The decision to return to college for a fifth season was likely expected as the 22-year-old was viewed as a borderline second-round pick. Many believed, including Jayhawks head coach Bill Self, that McCullar could help his draft stock by returning for another year.
Back for everything…😤📈
Rock Chalk, @Kevin_McCullar pic.twitter.com/7WnS2eVirT
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) May 24, 2023
McCullar was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team this past season after averaging 10.7 points, seven rebounds, 2.4 assists and two steals in 34 games. He was second in the conference in steals and 11th in the country in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.3).
The 6-foot-6 McCullar joined Kansas prior to last season after three years at Texas Tech. He has the opportunity to return because of the extra year student-athletes received due to the coronavirus pandemic, which would be his sixth year after redshirting the 2018-19 season.
With McCullar back in the fold, the Jayhawks figure to be highly ranked entering next season. They will likely be the favorites to win the Big 12 once again after retaining McCullar and adding Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson.
He had until May 31 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.
