KJ Adams Jr.

Last updated
KJ Adams Jr.
Free agent
Position Small forward / power forward
Personal information
Born (2002-04-18) April 18, 2002 (age 23)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College Kansas (2021–2025)
NBA draft 2025: undrafted
Career highlights

Kevin Wynn "KJ" Adams Jr. (born April 18, 2002) is an American basketball player and current Assistant Video Coordinator for Kansas Basketball. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Adams grew up in Austin, Texas and attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School as a freshman. He transferred to Westlake High School, where he played basketball and lacrosse. [1] Adams averaged 22.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game during his junior season. [2] He was named 6A All-State as a senior after averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. [3]

Recruiting

Adams was rated a four-star recruit, according to major recruiting services. [4] On July 31, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Kansas over offers from Baylor, Georgetown, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. [5]

College recruiting information
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
KJ Adams Jr.
PF 		Austin, TX Westlake (TX)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg)Jul 31, 2020 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  4 stars.svg     247Sports:  4 stars.svg     ESPN:  4 stars.svg    (86)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 95    247Sports: 85    ESPN: 47
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kansas 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  • "2021 Kansas Jayhawks Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved December 12, 2023.

College career

Adams played in 37 of Kansas's 40 games during his freshman season and averaged 4.8 minutes played, one point, and 0.8 rebounds per game. [6] He played three total minutes in the Kansas' 72–69 victory in 2022 national championship game against North Carolina and was a defensive substitution for the final possession of the game. [7] Adams entered his sophomore season as the Jayhawks' starting small center. [8] As a sophomore, he was named Big 12 Most Improved Player and averaged 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. [9] Adams averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a junior. [10]

Coaching career

On June 2, 2025, Adams joined the Kansas coaching staff for the 2025-2026 season as an Assistant Video Coordinator after suffering a torn achilles tendon in the second half of the NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas. [11]

Personal life

Adams is the son of Kevin and Yvonne. He has two sisters. His father played football at New Mexico and his mother was a two-year basketball starter at Texas A&M University and led the team in scoring in 1989-90 and 1990-1991. His sister, Brittany, was an all-conference volleyball player at Southern Methodist University. [12]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 Kansas 3714.8.520.000.600.8.3.1.21.0
2022–23 Kansas 363627.4.622.000.6074.31.9.8.810.6
2023–24 Kansas 343233.5.601.000.6004.63.11.1.612.6
2024–25 Kansas 312930.0.540.000.7255.02.5.9.89.4
Career1389823.4.588.000.6333.61.9.7.68.2

References

  1. ↑ "Kansas basketball freshman KJ Adams excelled in lacrosse as well". The Salina Journal . June 10, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Westlake's K.J. Adams overcomes obstacles, becomes basketball court leader". Austin American-Statesman . April 8, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Westlake's K.J. Adams heads 2021 All-Centex boys basketball team". Austin American-Statesman . April 10, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ García, Jake (March 1, 2020). "Westlake's four-star hooper KJ Adams working with former Ehlinger trainer during offseason". KVUE.com . Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  5. ↑ "K.J. Adams chooses KU Jayhawks basketball over Texas, others". The Kansas City Star . August 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "KU Jayhawks' KJ Adams didn't consider transfer portal". The Kansas City Star . June 7, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  7. ↑ Moore, CJ (February 3, 2023). "'I didn't know, Mom': The force that drives the most improved player in college basketball". The Athletic . Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ "KU basketball coach Bill Self is happy KJ Adams chose hoops". The Kansas City Star . December 14, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "🏀 Jayhawk Starters Headline 2023 All-Big 12 Honors for Kansas". Kansas Jayhawks . March 5, 2023. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ Henry, Greenstein (April 2, 2024). "KJ Adams confirms he'll return for senior year". KUsports.com. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Former Kansas Forward to Join Coaching Staff Amid Injury Recovery". Kansas Jayhawks On SI. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "KJ Adams - 2024-25 - Men's Basketball". University of Kansas. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
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