Texas Tech’s Kevin McCullar says he will attend KU or Gonzaga if he exits NBA Draft
Texas Tech redshirt junior shooting guard Kevin McCullar, who entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday after declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft on March 27, on Sunday narrowed his list of transfer possibilities to Kansas and Gonzaga.
McCullar, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound San Antonio native, revealed his college finalists in a post on Twitter.
“I would like to sincerely thank Red Raider nation for your unwavering support. I poured my heart and soul into Texas Tech,” McCullar wrote on Twitter, adding, ”I am extremely thankful to all the coaches that have reached out and provided an opportunity to join their program. With that being said, playing in the NBA continues to be my dream and my priority. If I decide to return to college, these are my Final 2!”
He included logos of the KU Jayhawk and Gonzaga Bulldog on his Twitter post.
Later Sunday, he issued another Twitter post in response to some negative comments concerning his decision to transfer to one of two programs if he does not stay in the draft.
“Life is a blessing. Decisions are mutual,” McCullar wrote. “Quick to accept a transfer but bash one for leaving. Showed up every day for four years of my life (including his redshirt freshman year) and gave it all I had every time I stepped on that court and always will.
“No I’m not perfect but who is?” McCullar added in his post. “I’m me and I love ME. Battled my whole life through ups and downs but I continue to enjoy every day of my life because it could be taken away at any moment. Jealousy, envy and hate is the devil’s work. I truly pray for our world and the people that can sit behind social media and act the way they do. Hope my platform can open one person’s eyes. God’s got a blessing. - Philippians 4:13. Kevin McCullar Jr.”
On Wednesday his Twitter post had read: “My goal & dream of playing in the NBA remains my priority! I have declared for the 2022 NBA Draft & continue to train. I have decided to enter the transfer portal before the deadline, in order to explore all options should I return and use my last two years of college eligibility.”
McCullar, an outstanding defensive player who recieved all-Big 12 honorable mention after his junior campaign, ranked third on the Red Raiders in scoring (10.1 points per game on 40.2% shooting) and second in rebounding (4.6). He hit 28 of 90 threes for 31.1%. He also made 72.5% of his free throws. McCullar dished 89 assists against 57 turnovers. His 3.1 assist per game average was best on Tech’s team.
McCullar missed eight games because of an ankle injury that hampered him much of the 2021-22 season.
McCullar scored 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting (1-of-4 from three) in a 78-73 loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament
Because of injury, McCullar did not play in Tech’s 75-67 win over KU on Jan. 8 in Lubbock, Texas. He had two points on 1-of-11 shooting and three rebounds while playing 44 minutes in a 94-91 double overtime loss to KU on Jan. 24 at Allen Fieldhouse. He had eight points on 3-of-10 shooting with five assists and three rebounds in Tech’s 74-65 loss to KU in the finals of the Big 12 tournament on March 12 at T-Mobile Center.
McCullar has been working out in advance of the draft with other college players in New Jersey.
Asked to describe his game by Corey Tulaba of noceilingsnba.com, McCullar said after a recent workout: “I am a versatile player that can do it on both ends of the floor, can guard 1 through 4. On the offensive end, I can create my own shot and also create for others.
“In the Big 12, you have to play everybody twice, home and away. It’s a battle every night and matching up with guys like Ochai (Agbaji, KU) on a night-in basis is going to help me (at the next level). I’m ready to match up with anybody.”
McCullar was not included on the most recent mock draft of ESPN.com.
Of McCullar, basketball analyst Jeff Goodman of Stadium wrote Sunday on Twitter: “Kansas or Gonzaga could be the beneficiary of a HUGE addition if Kevin McCullar opts to return to college. One of the ultimate intangible guys. Does everything for a team.”
Other players in the transfer portal who have KU on their lists: former Iowa State point guard Tyrese Hunter; former South Dakota State shooting guard Baylor Scheierman and former Missouri State guard Isiaih Mosley, who is a good friend of KU’s Christian Braun and Dajuan Harris.
Travis Graf of Rivals.com says Mosley is considering KU, Duke, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Louisville, DePaul, and Mississippi State.
Former South Dakota State men’s basketball shooting guard Baylor Scheierman has eliminated bluebloods Kansas and Kentucky from his list of transfer options, Scheierman’s agent told NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony on Monday.
Schools are allowed 13 scholarship players in accordance with NCAA rules.
The Jayhawks currently have 11 scholarship players on the 2022-23 roster in senior-to-be Cam Martin, juniors-to-be Harris and Joseph Yesufu, sophomores-to-be KJ Adams, Zach Clemence and Bobby Pettiford, plus redshirt freshman-to-be Kyle Cuffe and true incoming freshmen Gradey Dick, Zuby Ejiofor, MJ Rice and Ernest Udeh. It’s also possible Braun and Jalen Wilson, who have entered their names in the NBA Draft, could return.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 9:18 AM.
