KJ Adams injury update: Bill Self offers disappointing news on Kansas star after loss vs. Arkansas

Kansas forward KJ Adams exited the Jayhawks’ first-round NCAA Tournament game against Arkansas with what appeared to be a non-contact injury. Losing their star player late in the second half, the Razorbacks would go on to defeat the Jayhawks 79-72.

Head coach Bill Self provided a brief update on his status after the game. He offered a potential grim outlook on the severity of the injury as Kansas’ season comes to a close.

“He’s got an Achilles injury,” Self said. “We’re hopeful for the best tomorrow. I’m sure it’s not going to be great news.”

Adams finished the game scoring 13 point on 5 of 8 shooting, as well as four rebounds during 32 minutes on the floor. He left the game with 3:10 left in regulation. Self attempted to explain what happened to his senior forward from his perspective on the bench.

“He got the rebound, he came out on it. We had numbers and then he went down,” Self continued. “I don’t know exactly how much time was left, but he and [Dajuan Harris], more so than anybody because they’ve been here the longest besides me. … They’re like sons to me. It’s one thing to lose the game, but to see him potentially lose a year on top of the game — that’s a pretty big blow.

“Say what you want about those kids, but they’re winners and they compete everyday. It’s just disappointing to have anybody go out that way.”

Adams finishes his 2024-25 senior season with a 9.2-point, 5.0 rebound per game average. While that’s down from his 12.6 point per game average from his junior season, Adams remained a massive piece of Kansas’ lineup this season.

For Harris, a fifth-year senior, finished his final game with Kansas scoring eight points and seven assists during 30 minutes against Arkansas. On the season, he averaged 9.2 points and a team-high 5.7 assists. His fifth season in Lawrence saw him log a career-high in his scoring average.

Kansas ultimately ends its 2024-25 season in Providence, RI. They finished the season 21-13 overall, which included an 11-9 record against Big 12 Conference competition. The Jayhawks also finished the year having a 14-3 record in front of their home crowd.

The Jayhawks will enter the offseason set to bring in a top 15 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. Expected to lose a healthy dose of their production this offseason, Self could also utilize the transfer portal to his program’s advantage.