Kansas basketball guard Kevin McCullar selected in second round of 2024 NBA Draft

University of Kansas guard Kevin McCullar was selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks on Thursday.

McCullar, a 6-foot-5, 212-pound native of San Antonio, Texas, went No. 56 overall in the two-round, 58-player draft. The Knicks traded with the Phoenix Suns to select McCullar.

The Knicks traded pick No. 40 for picks No. 51 and No. 56.

McCullar is KU’s 43rd draft pick since the NBA adopted a two-round draft in 1989.

McCullar averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Jayhawks this past season. He bruised a bone in his left knee during the season, which caused him to miss the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the injury, he was recognized as an All-America honorable mention by The Associated Press.

McCullar entered the NBA Draft process after his senior season in 2023 but decided to return to Lawrence for a final year of college.

At the NBA Combine, McCullar measured 6 feet, 5.25 inches without shoes and weighed 205.5 pounds. His standing reach was measured at 8 feet, 7 inches, and his wingspan was 6-9.

Before his injury, McCullar was KU’s first option on offense and a key part of the Jayhawks’ stalwart defense. In the NBA, he projects to be a role player.

One question mark surrounding McCullar is his 3-point shooting. Although he shot 33.3% from deep last season, he hadn’t come close to that mark in previous years.

Here’s what Jeremy Woo, a national NBA Draft evaluator for ESPN, told The Star about McCullar’s game.

“When you see an older guy that’s heavily usage-based — skill too — but his efficiency isn’t markedly better, you have to ask: ‘Is this guy that much better, or is the talent level worse and he’s just an older guy asked to do more?’” Woo said. “Trying to separate that is the challenge with him. He’s also still a very average shooter overall, even with the hot 3-point shooting start.”

Woo sees value in McCullar, regardless.

“If you are in the 20s (in the NBA Draft) and on, you are looking at the experienced college guys. You want someone who can contribute early on. He’s a guy that can help you.”

Earlier Thursday, one of McCullar’s teammates, Johnny Furphy, was selected No. 35-overall by Indiana Pacers