Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Kevin McCullar Jr. carved out a successful college career through his versatility, bringing value as a scorer, defender, rebounder, and playmaker. His all-around approach and willingness to impact the game in different ways made him a dependable presence and an important contributor wherever he played.

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kevin McCullar Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: March 15, 2001
  • Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 210 pounds (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Jersey Number: 15 (Kansas Jayhawks), 9 (New York Knicks)
  • High School: Wagner High School, San Antonio, Texas
  • College:
    • Texas Tech University (Texas Tech Red Raiders, 2019–2022):
      • Averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in his junior year.
      • Notable for his defensive skills and versatility on the court.
    • University of Kansas (Kansas Jayhawks, 2022–2024):
      • Senior Year (2023–2024):
        • Averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
        • Named 2024 Third-Team All-American by NABC and First-Team All-Big 12.
        • Led the Big 12 in scoring and achieved back-to-back triple-doubles, a first in NCAA history since the 2007-08 season.
  • NBA Draft:
    • Selected 56th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns; rights traded to the New York Knicks.
    • Signed a two-way contract with the Knicks on August 5, 2024.
  • Professional Career:
    • New York Knicks (2024–present):
      • Currently plays for both the Knicks and their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.
  • Personal Life:
    • Father: Kevin McCullar Sr., a former Texas Tech football player.
    • Siblings: Information not publicly available.
    • Children: None.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kevin McCullar Jr.’s player archetype is that of a rugged two-way wing who fits naturally as a complementary connector, secondary creator, and defensive stopper rather than a high-volume lead option. At about 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-7 and roughly 210 to 214 pounds, he has a strong frame, solid athleticism, and the kind of physical tools that let him defend across multiple positions, disrupt actions with quick hands, rebound his area, and bring real edge on the perimeter. Offensively, his best role is as a slashing, passing wing who can attack closeouts, help initiate sets, make the next read, and add transition value, with his improved scoring punch giving him more flexibility than a pure glue guy. His overall play style is built on toughness, versatility, and feel: he impacts games through defense, connective playmaking, downhill drives, and effort plays, even if his jumper and long-term shot consistency are still the swing skills that determine how large his NBA role becomes. (NBA)

Scouting Report

The interesting thing about Kevin McCullar Jr. is that he often controls possessions without ever appearing to dominate them. He’s constantly reading the defender’s balance, attacking whichever foot is exposed and using strength through his shoulders to carve out driving lanes rather than trying to win with flashy handle or overwhelming burst. When help arrives, he has a habit of waiting that extra beat before delivering the pass, allowing cutters to clear traffic or shooters to relocate into cleaner windows instead of making the obvious read too early. His offensive game isn’t built around difficult shot-making, but it doesn’t need to be because he consistently finds efficient ways to pressure the paint, draw fouls and keep the defense shifting. The trade-off is that defenders are more comfortable helping off him when his perimeter jumper isn’t falling, which can crowd those same driving lanes and force him into tougher finishes. Defensively, that’s where his game carries real weight. He absorbs contact on the perimeter, fights over screens without giving up angles easily and has an excellent feel for when to leave his assignment to tag a rolling big before recovering under control. It’s easy to overlook how disciplined he is with his hands; he creates turnovers by timing strips as the ball is exposed instead of constantly gambling in passing lanes. To me, McCullar fits best alongside high-usage scorers because he fills possessions with productive decisions rather than competing for touches. He’ll cut behind ball watching defenders, keep the offense connected with quick extra passes and willingly defend the opponent’s toughest perimeter assignment without disrupting the flow at the other end. That’s why his impact tends to grow on better teams. There are similarities to Josh Hart in the physicality and willingness to do the work between the obvious highlights, while parts of his all-around offensive approach resemble Bruce Brown, particularly the way he blends secondary playmaking, opportunistic scoring and disciplined defense into a game that becomes more valuable the less attention it demands.

NBA.com — NBA 2024 Draft Prospects | Kevin McCullar Jr.
Sports Illustrated — NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas’ Kevin McCullar Jr.
NBA.com — Bleacher Report: 5 under-the-radar prospects you need to know
Sports Illustrated — Projected First-Round Pick Kevin McCullar Jr. to Miss Big 12 Tournament with Injury
NBA.com — Bleacher Report: Updated mock draft and Round 1 NBA comparisons