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  • KJ Adams scores 18 points for No. 5 Kansas in its victory over No. 4 UConn
  • Yvonne Adams passed away on November 17 and her funeral is Saturday
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

KJ Adams Jr. is one of the most important players for the Kansas Jayhawks, with the blue bloods counting on him every game to bring the program closer to another national championship. 

His latest effort inside Allen Fieldhouse was a unique one, not just because of a rare visit from a nonconference top-5 opponent that doubles as the defending national champion. It’s far from that. 

Adams had to give his all less than 24 hours before he laid his mother to rest. Yvonne Adams passed away on November 17 from cancer, with her funeral scheduled for Saturday.  

The Kansas guard only missed two minutes of game action, playing for 38, and scoring 18 points in the No. 5 Jayhawks 69-65 win over No. 4 UConn. 

In the locker room after the emotional victory, Kansas head coach Bill Self encouraged his team to be by Adams’ side with all he’s going through.  

KJ Adams scored 18 points for Kansas in a 69-65 win over UConn on Friday night

KJ Adams scored 18 points for Kansas in a 69-65 win over UConn on Friday night

Yvonne Adams, KJ's mother, passed away on November 17 after a battle with cancer

Yvonne Adams, KJ’s mother, passed away on November 17 after a battle with cancer

Self pointed out Adams for his hard work for the Jayhawks after the win over the Huskies

Self pointed out Adams for his hard work for the Jayhawks after the win over the Huskies 

‘Look guys, this game belonged to one person, and it’s that dude right there,’ Self said, pointing at Adams with his teammates clapping at the recognition. 

‘Can you imagine the stress he’s been under?’ Self continued. ‘And for him to play for you guys the way he did tonight, knowing he’s getting on a plane to go say goodbye tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.?  Wow, stud. stud. So you guys put your arms that cat.’ 

‘When KJ goes through struggles in his life, he can look back and say “Ain’t going to be nothing harder than that.”‘ Self concluded. ‘That’s what winners do and he’s a frickin winner.’ 

Adams has played in all five games for Kansas since his mother’s passing. The Jayhawks have a 4-1 record in that span. 

Before he could leave Lawrence, Kansas for the funeral, Adams commented on how he’s doing. 

‘Really, I just did it for my mom,’ Adams said. ‘My mom just passed away a couple days ago. Everything I do for right now is for her and it’s just her watching over me and her helping me with this.’ 

Adams also talked about what his teammates have meant to him during a tough time in his life. 

‘They’ve been amazing,’ Adams said. ‘They’ve been calling me, they made sure I’ve been alright. I just really appreciate them for that. I couldn’t ask for more.’

Adams is a starter for Kansas and will be an integral part of the team the rest of the season

Adams is a starter for Kansas and will be an integral part of the team the rest of the season

Fans inside Allen Fieldhouse held newspapers with a photo of Adams' mother in her honor

Fans inside Allen Fieldhouse held newspapers with a photo of Adams’ mother in her honor

During the game, fans could be seen holding newspapers with a picture of his mother with the headline ‘For Yvonne.’

On several occasions throughout the game, the Jayhawks’ fans gave him thunderous applause for his efforts.  

Adams added the win over UConn was the best game he’s been part of at Allen Fieldhouse. 

Kansas returns to action on Tuesday against Kansas City at home, before hosting Border Showdown rival Missouri on December 9. 

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This post first appeared on Daily mail