Kevin McCullar Jr. Bio
Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr. is an American basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), competing on a two-way contract with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Kansas Jayhawks before turning professional. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, he has built a reputation as a versatile wing who contributes on both ends of the floor.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr. was born on March 15, 2001, in San Antonio, Texas, USA. He grew up in a family with a strong athletic tradition, as his father, Kevin McCullar Sr., played college football for Texas Tech as a linebacker before going on to play professionally with the Frankfurt Galaxy and Chicago Enforcers. That background helped shape McCullar’s competitive drive and gave him an early understanding of what it took to pursue a career in professional sports.
McCullar attended Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio, Texas, where he quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in the region. As a sophomore, he helped lead his team to the Class 6A state title game, signaling his arrival as a high-level talent. During his junior season, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game before suffering a fractured tibia during the playoffs. He opted to graduate early and bypass his senior season, accelerating his path toward college basketball.
Path to Basketball
Following his high school career, McCullar was rated a consensus four-star recruit. He committed to playing college basketball for Texas Tech over offers from Houston, Kansas State, and Louisville, choosing a program where his father had previously competed. McCullar redshirted his first season with the Red Raiders in order to continue rehabilitating from the tibia injury he suffered in high school, a period that tested his patience and resolve even as his team reached the national championship game in his absence.
Once healthy, McCullar worked his way into the rotation and steadily developed his game. His progression through the college ranks, from a defensive-minded role player to a primary scoring option, helped establish him as a legitimate professional prospect. By the time he finished his college career, he had earned multiple All-Big 12 honors and positioned himself for the NBA draft.
Kevin McCullar Jr. Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
McCullar began his college career at Texas Tech during the 2019–2020 season, redshirting to recover from his high school injury. As a freshman, he averaged 6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, showing flashes of two-way potential. On November 12, 2021, he scored a career-high 24 points in an 88–62 win against Grambling State, a sign of the offensive growth that lay ahead.
During his sophomore season, McCullar averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition. As a junior, he posted averages of 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, while also attempting 90 three-pointers and connecting on 31.1 percent of them. On April 27, 2022, he entered the transfer portal while also declaring for the 2022 NBA draft, before eventually announcing his transfer to Kansas.
Kansas Jayhawks (2022–2024)
McCullar committed to Kansas on May 19, 2022, while also keeping his name in the NBA draft. On June 1, 2022, he withdrew from the draft and committed to playing for the Jayhawks, beginning a new chapter of his college career. In his senior season, he played a key role for a program with national championship expectations, using his length, defensive instincts, and playmaking to impact the game in multiple ways.
His performance that season earned him a spot on the Third Team All-Big 12 as well as a place on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. He was also recognized as a Third-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches following the 2023–2024 campaign. Across his time at Kansas, McCullar became known for his versatility and his ability to guard multiple positions at a high level.
New York Knicks Era (2024–Present)
On June 27, 2024, McCullar was selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, but was immediately traded to the New York Knicks on draft night. On August 5, 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Knicks, linking him to both the NBA roster and the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. On March 25, 2025, he made his NBA debut and scored his first two career points in a 128–113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
He continued to split time between New York and Westchester, gaining valuable professional experience on both rosters. In November 2025, McCullar was part of the Knicks team that won the NBA Cup, adding an early professional trophy to his resume. His development remained a focus for the organization as he worked to earn a more permanent role at the NBA level.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCullar is best known for his defensive versatility, length, and high basketball IQ. At 6 feet 6 inches, he can guard multiple positions and reads the game well on the perimeter, skills that helped him earn All-Defensive Team honors in the Big 12. Offensively, he has continued to expand his range as a shooter while also operating as a connective passer who can facilitate offense for teammates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the early highlights of McCullar’s professional career was his NBA debut on March 25, 2025, when he scored his first two points against the Dallas Mavericks. Later that year, he was part of the New York Knicks squad that captured the NBA Cup in 2025, a marquee achievement in his first full professional season. His selection in the 2024 NBA draft, despite a late second-round pick, also marked a significant milestone in his journey from San Antonio to the NBA.
Kevin McCullar Jr. Career Wins
Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr. has built a résumé that includes team championships and individual college honors. His biggest professional title to date came as a member of the 2025 NBA Cup champion New York Knicks. At the college level, he earned multiple All-Big 12 recognitions and a Third-team All-American nod from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Kansas Highlights
During his senior season at Kansas, McCullar was named to the Third Team All-Big 12 and earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. He followed that with Third-team All-American honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 2024. His play helped anchor a Jayhawks team that competed at a high level within one of college basketball’s toughest conferences.
Other Wins & Performances
McCullar’s résumé also includes a Third-team All-Big 12 selection during the 2022–2023 season at Kansas. Combined with his 2025 NBA Cup championship, he has shown he can contribute to winning programs at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Kevin McCullar Jr. Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr. comes from an athletic family rooted in San Antonio, Texas. His father, Kevin McCullar Sr., played college football at Texas Tech as a linebacker and went on to play professionally for the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Chicago Enforcers. That family history of professional sports helped pave the way for the younger McCullar’s own path into competitive athletics.
Personal Life
McCullar maintains close ties to his family and has continued to build his professional life around basketball. He is represented in professional circles through his ongoing two-way contract with the New York Knicks, and he continues to work on his game between NBA and G League assignments. Public details about his personal relationships and life outside of basketball are limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Kevin Dewayne McCullar Jr.’s first full year as a professional, split between the New York Knicks and the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League. He made his NBA debut on March 25, 2025, scoring his first career points in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks, a memorable early milestone in his rookie campaign. He continued to earn opportunities through consistent two-way play and defensive contributions.
The biggest highlight of his season came in November 2025, when the Knicks won the NBA Cup, giving McCullar his first piece of professional silverware. Working within the Knicks’ system, he continued to refine his perimeter shooting and on-ball defense, areas the organization identified as key to his long-term development. Time with the Westchester Knicks also allowed him to log significant on-court reps as a featured player.
Heading into the remainder of the 2025 calendar, McCullar remained focused on earning a more consistent spot in the Knicks’ rotation. His combination of size, defensive instincts, and improving offensive game positioned him as a developing piece within New York’s long-term plans. Continued growth as a shooter and decision-maker will likely shape his outlook for the seasons ahead.