KJ Adams Jr.

American basketball player

KJ Adams Jr.
No. 24 – Kansas Jayhawks
Position	Small forward / power forward
League	Big 12 Conference
Personal information
Born	(2002-04-18) April 18, 2002 (age 22) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school	St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas) Westlake (Austin, Texas)
College	Kansas (2021–present)
Career highlights and awards
NCAA champion (2022) Big 12 Most Improved Player (2023)

Kevin Wynn "KJ" Adams Jr. (born April 18, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12 Conference.

Early life and high school career

Adams grew up in Austin, Texas and attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School as a freshman. He transferred to Westlake High School, where he played basketball and lacrosse.^[1] Adams averaged 22.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game during his junior season.^[2] He was named 6A All-State as a senior after averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.^[3]

Recruiting

Adams was rated a four-star recruit, according to major recruiting services.^[4] On July 31, 2020, he committed to playing college basketball for Kansas over offers from Baylor, Georgetown, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma.^[5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
KJ Adams Jr. PF	Austin, TX	Westlake (TX)	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Jul 31, 2020
KJ Adams Jr. PF	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 86
Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 95 247Sports: 85 ESPN: 47
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Kansas 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023. "2021 Kansas Jayhawks Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023.

College career

Adams played in 37 of Kansas's 40 games during his freshman season and averaged 4.8 minutes played, one point, and 0.8 rebounds per game.^[6] He played three total minutes in the Kansas' 72–69 victory in 2022 national championship game against North Carolina and was a defensive substitution for the final possession of the game.^[7] Adams entered his sophomore season as the Jayhawks' starting small center.^[8] As a sophomore, he was named Big 12 Most Improved Player and averaged 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.^[9]

Career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

College


Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	Kansas	37	1	4.8	.520	.000	.600	.8	.3	.1	.2	1.0
2022–23	Kansas	36	36	27.4	.622	.000	.607	4.3	1.9	.8	.8	10.6
Career		73	37	15.9	.612	.000	.606	2.5	1.1	.4	.5	5.7

References

^ "Kansas basketball freshman KJ Adams excelled in lacrosse as well". The Salina Journal. June 10, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "Westlake's K.J. Adams overcomes obstacles, becomes basketball court leader". Austin American-Statesman. April 8, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "Westlake's K.J. Adams heads 2021 All-Centex boys basketball team". Austin American-Statesman. April 10, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ García, Jake (March 1, 2020). "Westlake's four-star hooper KJ Adams working with former Ehlinger trainer during offseason". KVUE.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "K.J. Adams chooses KU Jayhawks basketball over Texas, others". The Kansas City Star. August 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "KU Jayhawks' KJ Adams didn't consider transfer portal". The Kansas City Star. June 7, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ Moore, CJ (February 3, 2023). "'I didn't know, Mom': The force that drives the most improved player in college basketball". The Athletic. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "KU basketball coach Bill Self is happy KJ Adams chose hoops". The Kansas City Star. December 14, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "🏀 Jayhawk Starters Headline 2023 All-Big 12 Honors for Kansas". Kansas Jayhawks. March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.