Bill Self is pleased Wilson, McCullar chose KU over NBA: ‘It came down to the wire’
Jalen Wilson and Kevin McCullar decided to remove their names from the 2022 NBA Draft with just a precious few hours to spare before Wednesday’s 11 p.m. deadline to withdraw if they wished to play basketball during the 2022-23 season at Kansas.
“It went down to the wire today,” KU coach Bill Self told The Star on Wednesday night.
“I talked to their agents and them earlier today,” he added of KU redshirt junior forward Wilson, who entered his name in the draft on April 22 and fifth-year Texas Tech transfer shooting guard McCullar, who declared March 27. Both had maintained the possibility of returning to school.
“It was all coming down to last-second feedback they got from respective teams,” Self added.
Wilson and McCullar were oh-so-close to turning pro after working out with various NBA teams and meeting with many NBA officials during the past several weeks.
“Not surprised,” Self said of Wilson’s afternoon declaration and McCullar’s evening announcement they’d be dropping out of the draft, “but I wouldn’t have been surprised if it went the other way, either. Jalen was picking up some serious momentum with how he shot the ball in workouts and how he performed at the Combine.
“Kevin did get excellent feedback. Several teams think he has NBA talent, but would serve him well to improve his own personal stock by going back to school.”
Self stressed that “If it had gone the other way (with the duo staying in draft), we’d have been happy with them. It goes to show we are dealing with mature kids and patient kids and families looking beyond the immediate and what could potentially happen long term.”
Self naturally was happy to see his 2022-23 Jayhawks roster add a fourth-year junior in the 6-foot-8 Wilson and fifth-year senior in the 6-6 McCullar, who played the last three seasons at Texas Tech after a redshirt season in Lubbock. Weeks after entering the transfer portal on April 27, the latter player announced on May 19 that he’d chosen KU as a transfer destination over runner-up Gonzaga.
“It was a very good day for Kansas basketball. We definitely got better today,” Self said of Wednesday’s events.
Wilson, a native of Denton, Texas, who averaged 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds a game while starting for KU’s 2022 NCAA title team, and McCullar, a 6-6 defensive stopper from San Antonio who averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game last season at Tech, earned all-Big 12 accolades a year ago: Wilson as a third-teamer, McCullar an honorable mention.
“Jalen and Kevin combined will be two of the most versatile guards/forwards on any team in the country,” Self said.
This marked the second straight year Wilson declared for the draft, worked out for teams and ultimately decided to return to school.
“Jalen’s return is something we thought could go either way. We are happy he made the decision to come back and hone his skills and defend our championship,” Self said. “(With McCullar), we are so excited to get a versatile player that knows how to win and can play on both ends in our program.”
KU now is assured of having a combination of experience and youth on its 2022-23 roster.
The two Texas natives are joined by fellow upperclassmen Dajuan Harris (fourth-year junior), Cam Martin (sixth-year senior) and Joseph Yesufu (fourth-year junior).
Scholarship sophomores are Bobby Pettiford, Zach Clemence and KJ Adams. Kyle Cuffe is a redshirt freshmen. True freshmen joining the program are Gradey Dick, Zuby Ejiofor, Ernest Udeh and MJ Rice.
“We’re in good shape,” Self said of the makeup of the team entering summer drills.
McCullar a starter on Texas Tech’s 2021-22 team that went 27-10 overall and lost to Duke 78-73 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAAs, is certainly looking forward to the upcoming campaign.
“This season … I think it’s a big season,” he said Wednesday. “Coming off a national championship there will be a target on our back for sure. I’m ready to come in and try to win another one.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 10:24 AM.
