Kevin McCullar Jr.

Last updated
Kevin McCullar Jr.
No. 9New York Knicks
Position Shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2001-03-15) March 15, 2001 (age 23)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school Karen Wagner
(San Antonio, Texas)
College
NBA draft 2024: 2nd round, 56th overall pick
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–present New York Knicks
2024–presentWestchester Knicks
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com

Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr. (born March 15, 2001) is an American basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Kansas Jayhawks.

Contents

High school career

McCullar played basketball for Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio, Texas. As a sophomore, he helped his team reach the Class 6A state title game. In his junior season, McCullar averaged 16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, before fracturing his tibia during the playoffs. [1] He opted to graduate early and bypass his senior season. [2] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Texas Tech over offers from Houston, Kansas State and Louisville. [3]

College career

McCullar redshirted his first season at Texas Tech to rehabilitate after fracturing his tibia as a junior in high school. Despite his absence, his team reached the national championship game. [4] As a freshman, McCullar averaged six points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. [5] In his sophomore season, he averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention. [6] On November 12, 2021, he scored a career-high 24 points in an 88–62 win against Grambling State. [7] As a junior, McCullar averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He hit 28 of 90 three pointers for 31.1%. [8]

On April 27, 2022, he entered the transfer portal while also declaring for the 2022 NBA draft and maintaining his college eligibility. [9] On May 19, 2022, McCullar announced he was transferring to Kansas while also remaining in the NBA draft. [10] On June 1, 2022, McCullar removed himself from the NBA Draft and announced he would be playing for the Jayhawks. [11] As a senior, he was named to the Third Team All-Big 12 as well as the All-Defensive Team. [12]

Professional career

New York / Westchester Knicks (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, McCullar was selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, however, immediately on draft night, he was traded to the New York Knicks. [13] On August 5, he signed a two-way contract with the Knicks. [14]

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
2018–19 Texas Tech Redshirt.svg Redshirt
2019–20 Texas Tech 29618.6.512.286.7253.2.71.2.36.0
2020–21 Texas Tech 201930.4.416.283.7046.32.11.7.810.4
2021–22 Texas Tech 292429.9.402.311.7254.63.11.4.210.1
2022–23 Kansas 343330.6.444.296.7617.02.42.0.710.7
2023–24 Kansas 262634.2.454.333.8056.04.11.5.418.3
Career13810828.6.441.309.7565.42.41.6.511.0

Personal life

McCullar's father, Kevin Sr., played college football for Texas Tech as a linebacker, before playing professionally with the Frankfurt Galaxy and Chicago Enforcers. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

William C. (Bill) Bridges was an American basketball player who earned an NBA championship and multiple NBA All-Star honors. Bridges played 13 seasons in the NBA for various teams, including the St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Rush</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Brandon Leray Rush is an American former professional basketball player. He was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, before being traded to the Indiana Pacers on draft day, after playing for Kansas for three seasons, including the 2008 championship season. He was selected as a Wooden Award All-American in both 2007 and 2008 as a Jayhawk. Rush has also played for the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Minnesota Timberwolves, winning an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Aldrich</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Cole David Aldrich is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Aldrich played three seasons of college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted by the New Orleans Hornets with the 11th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk</span> Ukrainian basketball player (born 1997)

Sviatoslav "Svi" YuriyovychMykhailiuk is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks and prior to that, he played for Cherkaski Mavpy in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague from 2012 to 2014 and for the Ukraine national team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. As a reserve with the 2023-24 Boston Celtics, Mykhailiuk won a NBA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Selden Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Wayne Anthony Selden Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Chorale Roanne. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Oubre Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Kelly Paul Oubre Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Oubre played one season of college basketball for the University of Kansas before being selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, who then traded him to the Washington Wizards. Oubre has also played for the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Knox II</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Kevin Devon Knox II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Knox was selected ninth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2018 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quentin Grimes</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Quentin Marshall Grimes is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks and the Houston Cougars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrett Culver</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Jarrett Culver is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Mooney</span> American basketball player

Matthew Marren Mooney is an American professional basketball player for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and South Dakota having transferred after his freshman year at Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ochai Agbaji</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Ochai Young Agbaji is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a senior at the University of Kansas, Agbaji was named a consensus first-team All-American and voted the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2022. He led the Jayhawks to a national championship and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP).

Marcus Garrett is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Bullock</span> American basketball player (born 1954)

Rick Bullock is an American former professional basketball player, who played collegiate basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team and was selected 57th by the New York Knicks in the 1976 NBA draft.

Miles James "Deuce" McBride is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrence Shannon Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Terrence Edward Shannon Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Illinois Fighting Illini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De'Vion Harmon</span> American basketball player

De'Vion Harmon is an American professional basketball player for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Oregon Ducks and the Oklahoma Sooners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jericho Sims</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Jericho Eduard Sims is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Obanor</span> American basketball player

Kevin Charles Obanor is an American professional basketball player for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Gradey Reed Dick is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class. A small forward, in 2022, Dick was named the boys Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Jaylon La Rone Tyson is an American basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and the California Golden Bears.

References

  1. Silva Jr., Carlos (July 5, 2018). "McCullar pledges to play for Texas Tech". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  2. Zuvanich, Adam (May 9, 2018). "Wagner standout McCullar to skip senior season". San Antonio Express-News . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. Hinojosa, David (July 5, 2018). "Wagner's McCullar commits to Texas Tech". San Antonio Express-News . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  4. Strader, Jay (February 19, 2020). "McCullar finds role for Red Raiders". The Daily Toreador . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  5. Mainville, Ryan (October 28, 2020). "McCullar feeling prepared for new season". The Daily Toreador . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  6. Marquez, RJ (July 19, 2021). "Former SA Wagner standout, Texas Tech star Kevin McCullar Jr. using new NIL laws to build brand, give back to community". KSAT-TV . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  7. "Texas Tech overwhelms Grambling in second half, wins 88–62". ESPN . Associated Press. November 12, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  8. Bedore, Gary (June 1, 2022). "Former Texas Tech Red Raider Kevin McCullar exits NBA Draft, will play for KU Jayhawks". Kansas City Star . Kansas City, Missouri . Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  9. Silva Jr., Carlos (April 27, 2022). "Texas Tech basketball player Kevin McCullar enters name into the NCAA transfer portal". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  10. Williams, Madison (May 19, 2022). "Texas Tech's Kevin McCullar Announces Decision to Transfer to Kansas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  11. Guskey, Jordan (June 1, 2022). "Kevin McCullar announces he's exiting NBA draft process, returning to college at Kansas". Topeka Capital-Journal . Topeka, Kansas . Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  12. "🏀 Jayhawk Starters Headline 2023 All-Big 12 Honors for Kansas". Kansas Jayhawks . March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  13. Davis, Kyle (June 27, 2024). "Johnny Furphy , Kevin McCullar Taken in Second Round of NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  14. "New York Knicks Sign Kevin McCullar Jr. to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  15. Johnson, Jarret (June 13, 2018). "4-Star Legacy Kevin McCullar Set to Visit Texas Tech". 247Sports . Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  16. "Kevin McCullar Stats". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 20, 2021.