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Bill Self passionately defends Kevin McCullar amid injury speculation

Alex Weberby: Alex Weber03/21/24Alexhweber
Kansas v Kansas State
MANHATTAN, KS - JANUARY 17: Kevin McCullar Jr. #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball up court in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum on January 17, 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

Kansas hoops received some brutal news ahead of the NCAA Tournament that star player Kevin McCullar would be out for the season due to knee pain.

However, after sharing that development this week, Bill Self offered some clarification on the McCullar injury situation just ahead of his team’s first round game against Samford, tweeting out a lengthy message explaining the step-by-step process Kansas and McCullar have taken with his knee in the last month or so.

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Here was that tweet from Coach Self:

“I am not on social media much but since announcing Kevin would not play in the tournament, I’ve been told Kevin and this situation have been portrayed inaccurately. What I said in a 45 second video clip is true. His knee hasn’t improved in the last two weeks. It hurts too much to continue playing. He hasn’t practiced in 6 weeks. We made the decision to shut him down. That’s all 100 percent accurate.

“But what I didn’t say has caused a false narrative to question Kevin inappropriately. 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. For 6 weeks, it’s been one step forward two steps back. He hurt it worse in the KSU game and tried to play at Houston.

“Since then, all involved felt 9 days off would position him to play in the tournament. That did not happen. 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 also added that McCullar will be with the team every step of the way through what is hopefully a long tourney run:

“We will support him through this process. 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. Kevin will take on the role of asst. coach during the tournament.”

Kansas will certainly be hurting without one of their stars, but luckily, big man Hunter Dickinson does appear to be healthy and ready to go after he also missed the Big 12 Tournament.