Coach Bill Self of the Kansas men’s basketball team clarified his position on Kevin McCullar’s exclusion from the 2024 NCAA Tournament due to a persistent bone bruise in his left knee on social networking site X, which was formerly Twitter, on 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,” KU’s 21-year head coach Self posted on Thursday. It’s accurate what I said in that 45-second video.
For the past two weeks, his knee has not gotten better. It aches too much to play any more. He hasn’t worked out in six weeks. We decided to stop working with him.
All of it is true to 100%, but what I chose not to disclose led to a misleading narrative that improperly questioned Kevin. Fans’ reactions on social media have been divided since Self revealed McCullar’s situation; some have criticized McCullar for missing the postseason.
“Everyone in the program is aware of the tremendous effort he put forth to try to play during his rehabilitation,” Self added. We are aware that rest is the only thing that can help the bone bruise heal.
Kevin decided to try and play instead of doing it. It’s been one stride forward, two steps back for the past six weeks. He attempted to play in Houston when his injury worsened after the KSU game.
Ever then, everybody concerned believed that giving him nine days off would prepare him for the competition. That was not the case.
It hasn’t developed and improved as much as we had planned. At that point, the physicians on our squad decided not to play and to let the healing process continue uninterrupted.
“We’ll be there for him during this process. Kevin tried for the KU supporters as well as for himself and his teammates. Although it is disappointing that Kevin is unable to play, we should all recognize the work he has put out. Kevin will serve as the tournament’s assistant coach.
Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, Self announced that McCullar will miss the entire NCAA Tournament. McCullar, who was selected by the league coaches and media to the first team All-Big 12, made his own statement on Tuesday night.
Regarding my decision to skip March Madness, McCullar stated that he would play if he could. Knowing that I would not be able to play and compete with my team and that my collegiate career is now over, I am more saddened than anyone.
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