The Orange got a jump on their 2014 recruiting class today, securing a commitment from ESPN 60 power forward Chris McCullough (Bronx, N.Y./Brewster Academy).
So what does the addition of the 6-foot-10 post mean for the Orange on the court?
McCullough, who is the nation’s No. 17-ranked junior, is the type of long and athletic post coach Jim Boeheim loves to develop offensively. He can face-up and handle the ball pretty well for a post, but where McCullough truly excels is running the floor and finishing on the break with flare.
On the glass, he rebounds using his length and ability to explode off the floor with multiple jumps, which allows him to snag boards over and around opponents.
The staple of Syracuse’s defensive system is the 2-3 zone, which McCullough should be very successful in given his length, athletic ability and mobility. He will be able to cover the court with his long strides to contest and alter shots. In addition to playing power forward, McCullough can also stand in the middle at times as he has the mobility to cover the corners, wings and high post areas as a back line defender.
McCullough has great upside and you can expect his offensive production to increase as he continues to develop his scoring package. While his offense is a work in progress, he is an under appreciated offensive threat and will be able to make plays on the break and have an impact on defense immediately. McCullough is a nice overall fit for Boeheim’s system.