20 March 2024
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSNT) – Kevin McCullar Jr. attempted to clear up lot of questions on Tuesday night after Bill Self told reporters the senior guard would not play in the NCAA tournament.
McCullar Jr., in his sixth and final season of college basketball, had his dedication questioned by many after his status for the big dance seemed to change quite a bit from Sunday, when Self said he was hopeful for his availability.
“If I could play I would,” McCullar Jr. said in a written statement on X, formerly Twitter. “I am more devastated than anyone, knowing that I can’t play & compete alongside my team and that my college career has now come to an end.”
McCullar averaged 18.3 points per game in his final season of college hoops, playing in 26 of KU’s 32 games.
KU big man Hunter Dickinson, who is expected to play in KU’s opening round game against Samford on Thursday, seemed to show support for his teammate in a response to McCullar’s post.
“The ones in the locker room know all the work you put in behind the scenes to try to play for us for the last couple months,” Dickinson said on X, formerly Twitter. “Love you my brother.”