KJ Adams Returning to Kansas Basketball in New Role

Former Kansas forward KJ Adams is returning to the University of Kansas, but in a different role than that of last season with the Jayhawks.

Following a solid senior season, Adams has decided to enter the coaching realm by joining Bill Self’s staff in Lawrence for the 2025-26 season.

247Sports’ Jack Ritter was the first to announce the news, saying, “Bill Self said today that KJ Adams will join the Kansas basketball staff in some capacity for the upcoming year.”

While his exact role is still unclear, Adams is set to help his former team after spending the previous four years in a Kansas jersey.

“We’re going to hire him in some capacity,” Self said. “KJ’s going to be part of our staff next year. And whatever capacity that is, I don’t know from a title standpoint yet, but whatever it is, it will allow him to stick around, be at practice every day, and also work on rehab.”

Adams’ career at Kansas did end rather unceremoniously, as the Texas native ruptured his Achilles tendon in the final game of his career.

The injury occurred with 3:14 left on the clock, with Adams skying for a rebound. Upon snagging the ball, the senior forward landed strangely on his left leg and fell to the ground. Adams was helped off the court by teammates and brought straight to the Kansas locker room for further testing.

Following Kansas’ loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, Self discussed Adams’ injury, saying, “It’s one thing to lose the game, but to see him potentially lose a year on top of the game, you know, that’s a pretty big blow.”

Adams becomes the third addition to Bill Self’s staff this offseason, joining assistant Jacque Vaughn and Director of Basketball Operations Fred Quartlebaum in Lawrence for the foreseeable future.