A Jayhawk Triumph
In a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 NBA season, Kevin McCullar Jr. and the New York Knicks secured the championship by beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the Finals. The victory marked a historic moment for the Jayhawk alumni network, as McCullar became the 17th former Kansas player to win an NBA title.
McCullar, a second-round draft pick by the Knicks in 2024, brought a relentless defensive mindset and scoring prowess to the court. His collegiate career at Kansas was defined by back-to-back triple-doubles against Kentucky and Chaminade, and he capped his college tenure with 1,517 points, 745 rebounds, 338 assists, and 217 steals.
A Legacy of Jayhawk Champions
The Knicks' triumph is the fourth NBA championship claimed by a Kansas alum in the past five seasons, underscoring a resurgence of the program's talent in the professional ranks. Joining McCullar among the celebrated group are Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Christian Braun, Andrew Wiggins, Wayne Simien, Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush, Sasha Kaun, Markieff Morris, Clyde Lovellette, Maurice King, Wilt Chamberlain, Jo Jo White, Bill Bridges, Jacque Vaughn, Paul Pierce, and Scot Pollard.
Head coach Bill Self, who has guided countless Jayhawks to the NBA, celebrated the milestone as a testament to the university's development pipeline. The achievement also places McCullar as the ninth player under Self to capture an NBA title, highlighting the sustained impact of the program's culture and coaching.