Kansas men’s basketball head coach Bill Self on Wednesday said senior Kevin McCullar Jr. will test the NBA pre-draft process following his first season with the program.
McCullar was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive team 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).
He was also honored on the All-Big 12 third team.
The 6-foot-6 guard tested the pre-draft process last year and ultimately opted to return to school. He is considered a potential second-round pick this year but could decide to come back for a fifth season and improve his draft stock.
Self believes one more year would help him in the long run.
I think there is no question Kevin McCullar could help himself by staying. I think, in his mind, he was a five-year guy. For him to come back, it makes it his sixth year. I’ve talked with Kev and he knows. I’ve talked to his mother and father and they know. I’ve talked to people close in his camp, they know. Kevin will make the decision when the time is right but he’s certainly going to go through the process and see what they say.
McCullar joined Kansas prior to the start of last season after three years at Texas Tech. He has the opportunity to return because of the extra year student-athletes received because of the coronavirus pandemic, which would be his sixth year after redshirting the 2018-19 season.
The program is approaching its upcoming recruiting process like McCullar will leave but that decision hasn’t been made yet. McCullar will seemingly have plenty of options to consider and will likely take all of the time needed to arrive at his decision.
He will have until May 31 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.
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