Kansas Jayhawks basketball forward KJ Adams underwent successful surgery on Wednesday after tearing his Achilles during KU’s first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas last week, coach Bill Self announced.
“KJ had a successful procedure this morning to repair his torn Achilles. He’s in good spirits. While this is a tough setback, he’ll tackle rehab with his usual determination and come back stronger than ever,” Self said in a statement.Adams, a senior from Austin, Texas, who has exhausted his college eligibility, sustained the injury after grabbing a defensive rebound with 3:14 remaining in the game, with KU leading Arkansas 67-64 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Former KU forward Perry Ellis stayed in Lawrence for several months undergoing treatment after tearing his patellar tendon on July 25, 2019. He sustained the injury while competing for KU’s alumni team in a TBT game in Wichita. During the 2019-20 school year, Ellis worked in KU’s basketball office before beginning his professional career.
The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Adams earned All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition following the 2023-24 season. He was named the Big 12’s most improved player in 2023. In his senior year, Adams averaged 9.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Over his Kansas career, he played in 137 games and started 97 of them.