Kansas head coach Bill Self clarified the situation regarding Kevin McCullar Jr.
Self announced Tueday that McCullar will miss the NCAA tournament. Ahead of Thursday’s first-round game against Samson, Self elaborated on what led to that decision.
He confirmed past comments that the team shut down McCullar, who hasn’t practiced in six weeks, after his knee didn’t improve over the last two weeks.
“That’s all 100 percent accurate, but what I didn’t say has caused a false narrative to question Kevin inappropriately.” Self wrote on X. “He worked tirelessly in rehab to try to play and everyone within the program knows it. We’ve known the only way the bone bruise would heal is time off. Kevin elected not to do that and try to play.”
Self described McCullar’s recovery as “one step forward two steps back.” He said the Jayhawks’ leading scorer re-aggravated the injury during a March 5 win over Kansas State but attempted to play against No. 1 Houston four days later.
McCullar sat out a Big 12 tournament loss to Cincinnati with hopes of returning for the NCAA tournament, but he’s still unable to compete.
“Since then, all involved felt nine days off would position him to play in the tournament. That did not happen,” Self continued. “It hasn’t progressed and made the improvement we had hoped. At that time our team doctors collectively came to the decisions to not play and allow the healing process to not be interrupted.”
Self applauded his player’s efforts and said McCullar will serve as an assistant coach during March Madness.
“We will support him through this process,” he said. “Kevin tried for himself, his teammates, and also the KU faithful. We are all disappointed Kevin can’t play but should appreciate the effort that he’s made.”