2024 Prospect Spotlight: Kevin McCullar, Jr.

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Any thoughts on 22 year old Kevin McCullar, Jr?

Could he have a Jaime Jaquez, Jr like impact as an older rookie who's incredibly polished and experienced?

How soon is too soon to draft him in a lesser draft like this?

Kevin McCullar

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School: Kansas
Position: SG/SF
Size: 6'7", 214 lbs
Age: 22

Kevin McCullar Jr. may not have the self-creation or dribble-jumper game for his 20.1 points per game to carry over. But he's become too well-rounded to bet against. His slashing, cutting, improved spot-up shooting, passing and wing defense will allow him to play on and off the ball out of different situations every game.

And he still may be able to provide some one-on-one offense when given space, just based on extra flashes of tougher shotmaking we're seeing this season.

Regardless, McCullar comes off as a high-floor role player worth taking in the mid-first-round for a team uninterested in waiting on a project.

Bleacher Report

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His biggest strengths are perimeter defense and hustle. He's suddenly become a top flight 3-pt shooter, but the years prior he was largely underwhelming from deep.

His ceiling is likely a more aggressive version of DeAndre Hunter.

Kevin McCullar | Kansas

6'7" | 210 lb | Wing | 22 years old | Senior

Well-rounded two-way player capable of flourishing in any type of system

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Shades of: Bruce Brown

PLUSES

• Dramatically improved perimeter scorer thanks to his recent shooting progress. He made slight tweaks to his posture before the season, which have unlocked his shot from all ranges.
  
• High-IQ cutter with immaculate timing and feel for finding the weak spots in the defense. He also has soft hands and touch for finishing.
  
• Thrives as a playmaking hub for Kansas, rarely turning the ball over and facilitating pick-and-rolls and dribble handoffs in the natural flow of the offense. At the next level, these skills will translate to make him a connective piece who limits mistakes and can execute any pass.
  
• Can score from anywhere. Even if the ball is dumped to him in the post, he has myriad moves to get into a shot. Granted, this won’t be a featured play for him in the NBA, but the skills are applicable for sealing off defenders when finishing off cuts.
  
• A decorated defender at the college level. Regardless of what his role is for his team, he brings intensity, effort, and focus as a defender and rebounder. He flies around as an off-ball defender, offers size as a helper at the rim, and brings excellent perimeter versatility.

MINUSES

• Is his sudden and dramatic progress an outlier performance or his new norm? He’ll need to prove he can sustain success as a shooter. He made only 29.8 percent of 3s and 73.3 percent of free throws over his first four collegiate seasons.
  
• Doesn’t project as a dynamic ball handler who will lead an offense

The Ringer

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