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The big news—Kevin McCullar is returning to KU. The portal has undeniably improved this roster, and Lunardi had KU on the topline even before the McC news came through. Enough links—wooooo! McCullar is an undeniably talented defender who does a lot of other things well, and bringing him back into the fold… that’s ⛽. Let’s enjoy this. May the fantasy lineup building commence!
Though the Hearings were a-rumblin’ with this news yesterday, I’m surprised! McCullar didn’t scrimmage well at the combine, but that’s not the first time a good and useful player has struggled in that setting. He was also one of only 14 prospects who did not do measurements. That is sort of strange, because I expected him to measure well.
McCullar would definitely get a long look via an NBA training camp, and while he probably wouldn’t be on a two-way from the jump, his toolbox is something that NBA teams covet, especially now that the Nuggets and Heat have rampaged through the playoffs with switch-y gadget guys filling out the edges of their rosters. (KJ Adams will play in the NBA, I want to get that on wax). McCullar will be 23 in March, and while the NBA frowns less on age than it has in the recent past, that’s pretty old for a rookie. This might not move the needle on his draft stock much, but I think McCullar knows that.
McCullar’s return is undeniably good for KU, and a welcome sign that the defense—which looked to be one of the weakest, on paper, that Self has ever fielded—will be at least '“solid.” Expectations are already through the roof—it’s up to Self to deliver on the promise of this roster, and it appears he is hellbent on doing so. If McCullar can get within striking distance of 40% from 3, especially if he’s able to work toward that from the corners, KU will be able to create the spacing required for this offense to be special.
Let’s just say… I feel good about it. Rock Chalk. Victor Wembanyama, come on down king!