One Jayhawk bounces back, while another struggles at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine
Kansas senior guard Kevin McCullar, who has entered the 2023 NBA Draft process but not ruled out a return to KU, scored zero points with three steals, one rebound, one assist and three turnovers in Team Bradds’ 117-106 loss to Team Hines in an NBA Combine game on Thursday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
McCullar, a 6-foot-6 native of San Antonio, Texas, started and played 18 minutes. He went 0-for-5 shooting, including 0-for-2 from three. McCullar scored six points on 3-of-5 shooting with two steals in Team Bradds’ opening loss to Team Bailey on Wednesday at the Combine.
ESPN.com currently projects McCullar as the 24th pick of Round 2 of the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
Jalen Wilson scores seven points
Former Kansas forward Jalen Wilson scored seven points on 1-of-4 shooting in Team Richmond’s 90-81 win over Team Bailey at the Combine on Thursday in Chicago. He was 0-for-2 from three and 5-of-5 from the line.
The 6-8 Wilson — he started and played 19 minutes — had eight rebounds, two assists and one turnover.
On Wednesday, Wilson scored five points on 1-of-8 shooting in a 122-95 loss to Team Hines. He also had three rebounds.
Two of Wilson’s Combine teammates — Arthur Kaluma and Grant Nelson — who reportedly have KU on their respective lists of schools if they decide to drop out of the NBA Draft by the May 31 deadline — played for the winning team.
Nelson, a 6-11, 235-pound senior-to-be forward from North Dakota State who is in the transfer portal, scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds; Kaluma, 6-7, 225 junior-to-be forward from Creighton, also in the portal, had eight points and four rebounds.
ESPN.com currently lists Wilson as the No. 7 pick of Round 2 of the NBA Draft by Oklahoma City.
KU’s Gradey Dick attended the Combine for measurements and shooting drills this week but did not play in camp games. ESPN.com lists Dick as the No. 9 overall pick in the draft by Utah.
New name in recruiting
Zyon Pullin, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior guard from UC Riverside, who entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, reportedly has KU on his list of schools, according to jayhawkslant.com.
Pullin averaged 18.3 points and 4.4 rebounds last season for UC Riverside (22-12). He had 122 assists against 71 turnovers with 27 steals.
Pullin hit 202 of 416 shots last season for 48.6%. He hit 26 of 66 threes for 39.4%.
He earned first-team all-Big West Conference honors. The Pleasant Hill, California native ranked in the top five in the Big West in scoring, assists, and field goal percentage.
Pullin currently has his name in the 2023 NBA Draft. His agency will have a pro day for NBA scouts on Wednesday.
This story was originally published May 19, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
