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The New York Knicks added a star player from one of college basketball’s most noteworthy teams when they selected Kansas Jayhawks swingman Kevin McCullar Jr. with the No. 56 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman’s Scouting Report
Player: Kevin McCullar Jr.
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6’7″
Pro Comparison: Josh Hart
Scouting Report: Despite Kevin McCullar’s improved scoring average, NBA scouts remain more intrigued by his two-way versatility. He may be missing one signature skill, but the ability to make up shots, slash, pass, rebound and defensive both wing spots creates glue-guy potential for teams to use between higher-level creators and shooters.
Tyler Kolek, PG: TBD
Kevin McCullar Jr., SG/SF: TBD
Ariel Hukporti, C: TBD
OG Anunoby, SF: $36.6M (2029)
Julius Randle, PF: $30.3M (2026)
Jalen Brunson, PG: $25M (2026)
Mikal Bridges, SF: $23.3M (2025)
Josh Hart, SF: $18.1M (2028)
Mitchell Robinson, C: $14.3M (2026)
Donte DiVincenzo, SG: $11.4M (2027)
Miles McBride, PG: $4.7M (2027)
Mamadi Diakite, PF: $2.3M (2025)
Alec Burks, SG: UFA
Isaiah Hartenstein, C: UFA
Precious Achiuwa, PF: RFA
Jericho Sims, C: Club option
DaQuan Jeffries, SG: Club option
Shake Milton, SG: UFA
Jacob Toppin, SF: RFA
Charlie Brown Jr., SG: RFA
Duane Washington Jr., PG: RFA
McCullar is a household name among college basketball fans after he was an All-Big 12 First Team selection last season.
He averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. He was also a Big 12 All-Defense selection the previous season in 2022-23.
That defense should help him carve out a role for his new team as soon as his rookie season. As Wasserman highlighted, he can defend multiple positions with his combination of length and athleticism.
Throw in the ability to take over games as a scorer that he showed at times in college, and there is plenty that McCullar can offer at the next level.
