KU coach Bill Self issues statement on Kevin McCullar injury & social media reaction
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self took to social media site X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to issue a statement clarifying his stance on Kevin McCullar’s being held out of the 2024 NCAA Tournament because of a lingering bone bruise in his left knee.
Self, KU’s 21st-year head coach, wrote Thursday: “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% accurate, but what I didn’t say has caused a false narrative to question Kevin inappropriately.”
Since Self announced McCullar’s status, there had been some mixed reaction from fans on social media, some critical of McCullar for sitting out the postseason.
“He worked tirelessly in rehab to try to play and everyone within the program knows it,” Self continued. “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 six 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 nine 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.
“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.”
McCullar, a first-team All-Big 12 selection by the league coaches and media, had released his own statement on Tuesday night after Self made the announcement upon arrival in Salt Lake City that McCullar would be held out the entire NCAA Tournament.
“In regard to me not playing in March Madness, if I could play, I would,” McCullar said. “I am more devastated than anyone, knowing that I can’t play and compete alongside my team and that my college career has now come to an end.
“I have done everything that I possibly could have done to get back playing at a high level to help my team. This included 6-7 hours a day with the training staff at Kansas for over a month now, while not participating in practice but competing in games.”
He continued.
“While trying various treatment options, it is simply not where it needs to be to play the game,” McCullar said. “With a collective agreement between myself, the coaches and the Kansas team doctors, it was decided that I should not play.”
Self had said on Tuesday: “Kevin is not going to play. Kevin says his knee pain has not subsided any and it’s too bad for him to be able to contribute. So Kevin will not play.
“He’s out,” Self added. “We’re shutting him down for the tournament. If we are fortunate enough to win two games, we’d have done it without him. You know, he hasn’t practiced in six weeks, basically. He hasn’t done more damage to his knee. He tried to do it (play) and said he just couldn’t go.”
“He tried. He was going through rehab. It just didn’t get any better. The other weeks, it progressively got a little bit better; this week it just didn’t. (After) consultation with doctors and Kevin where he is mentally and physically right now, it’s best for him to go ahead and shut it down — unfortunately for us, more so for him. But it was really no decision to be made because he can’t go.”
KU’s first-round NCAA Tournament game, against No. 13 seed Samford, is set for 8:55 p.m. Central on Thursday at Delta Center.
This story was originally published March 21, 2024 at 1:01 PM with the headline "KU coach Bill Self issues statement on Kevin McCullar injury & social media reaction."
