Kansas Jayhawks’ Adams had surgery Wednesday. Here’s how he’s doing, per coach Bill Self
Kansas Jayhawks basketball forward KJ Adams, who suffered a torn Achilles late in KU’s first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas last week, underwent successful surgery on Wednesday, KU coach Bill Self reported.
“KJ had successful surgery this morning to repair his torn Achilles. He is in good spirits. Although this is a big setback, he’ll attack his rehab with his patented toughness and be back as strong as ever,” Self said in a statement.
Adams, a senior from Austin, Texas who has no college eligibility remaining, grabbed a defensive rebound with 3 minutes, 14 seconds remaining and KU leading the Arkansas Razorbacks 67-64 at Providence, Rhode Island. As he landed on his left leg and attempted to dribble on a fast-break opportunity, he fell and lost the ball.
Adams remained on the court until he was helped to his feet and walked off by teammates Zeke Mayo and AJ Storr. Adams immediately was taken to the locker room and the Jayhawks were outscored 15-5 the final three minutes of an eventual 79-72 defeat.
Adams was examined by doctors upon the team’s return from Rhode Island.
Self on Sunday told The Star that Adams’ recovery time, and return to basketball, would likely be nine to 10 months.
“It is terrible. It’s an awful way to end a really good (college) career,” Self said Sunday, speaking after The Grind Session championship game at Haskell. ”The thing that is most frustrating and the saddest thing is it probably delays a year in what he’ll do with his future (in pro basketball).
“I anticipate him sticking around (KU),” Self added, “and we’ll find something for him to do until he gets healthy.”
Former KU forward Perry Ellis remained in Lawrence for several months of treatment after tearing the patellar tendon in his knee on July 25, 2019. Ellis hurt the knee while playing for KU’s alumni team in a TBT game at Wichita. After working in KU’s basketball office during the 2019-20 school year, he began his pro career.
The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Adams was an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection after the 2023-24 season. He was the Big 12’s most improved player award recipient in 2023.
Adams averaged 9.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in his senior year. He played in 137 games over his career at Kansas, making 97 starts.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Kansas Jayhawks’ Adams had surgery Wednesday. Here’s how he’s doing, per coach Bill Self."
