KJ Adams Jr. is an American college basketball player who plays as a forward for the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 Conference. Born on April 18, 2002, in Austin, Texas, Adams stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds.
Early Life and Education
Adams began his high school education at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin before transferring to Westlake High School. During his junior year, he averaged 22.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In his senior year, he earned 6A All-State honors by averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
He also won the American Family Insurance Slam Dunk Championship in 2021.
College Career
Adams committed to the University of Kansas in July 2020, choosing the Jayhawks over several other programs. In his freshman year (2021–2022), he played in 37 games, averaging 4.8 minutes, 1 point, and 0.8 rebounds per game. He contributed to Kansas’s national championship win, playing a defensive role in the final moments of the championship game against North Carolina.
His sophomore season (2022–2023) marked significant improvement; he started 36 games, averaging 27.4 minutes, 10.6 points, and 4.3 rebounds per game. His performance earned him the Big 12 Most Improved Player award. In his junior year (2023–2024), Adams continued his upward trajectory, starting 32 games with averages of 33.5 minutes, 12.6 points, and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Recent Developments
During the 2025 NCAA Tournament, in a game against Arkansas, Adams suffered an Achilles injury that led to his early exit. The injury was a significant blow to both Adams and the Jayhawks, ending their tournament run.
For a visual moment capturing Coach Bill Self consoling KJ Adams after the injury, you can watch the following video: