Jayhawks Well Represented in 2025 NBA Playoffs

Kevin McCullar Jr. with the New York Knicks and Johnny Furphy with the Indiana Pacers are in the playoffs in their rookie seasons. McCullar played two seasons at KU (2023-24), while Furphy was a member of the 2024 team. The Knicks will host Detroit on April 19 at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN and the Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks on April 19 at 12 p.m. CT.

Staff-wise, Keivn Pritchard, the starting point guard on Kansas’ 1988 NCAA National Championship team, is the president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers. Pritchard played at KU from 1987-90. Pritchard’s KU teammate, Milt Newton is the assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks. Newton spent five seasons at KU from 1985 to 1989. Former Kansas assistant coach Alvin Gentry, who was at KU under Larry Brown from 1986-88, is the vice president, basketball engagement for the Sacramento Kings.

KU 2008 national champion Darrell Arthur is a pro scout/player development coach with the Denver Nuggets. Arthur was a two-year starter at KU in 2007 and 2008. Kansas 2002 All-America Nick Collison, who played at KU from 1999-2002, is an amateur evaluation scout with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Former KU team manager during the mid-1980s, Bill Pope, is a scout with the Orlando Magic.
 
In 2024, former Kansas guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk became the 16th Jayhawk to win an NBA title as he was with the Boston Celtics. There have been 16 Jayhawks who have won 21 NBA titles during their professional careers. Mykhailiuk became the eighth Jayhawk under head coach Bill Self to win an NBA title. He joined Wayne Simien (2006), Mario Chalmers (2012, 2013), Brandon Rush (2015), Sasha Kaun (2016), Morris (2020), Wiggins (2022) and Braun (2023).