C.J. Fair will graduate in May and Jerami Grant has declared for the NBA, weakening Syracuse up front. But help is on the way for the Orange — in the form of Chris McCullough, a 6-foot-10 inside-out force from The Bronx considered one of the nation's top high school prospects.
A five-star prospect, McCullough is ranked between 15-24 by all the recruiting services, but Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim thinks he's nevertheless underrated, pointing to his ability to make an impact at both ends of the floor and excel in the paint as well as the perimeter. Boeheim sees NBA promise in his incoming recruit.
"He's got unlimited potential," Boeheim said of McCullough, who was limited to four points because of foul trouble Friday night at Barclays Center in the Jordan Brand Classic national game, featuring the top soon-to-be college freshmen in the country. "It's still just potential right now, but it's realistic to think he's gonna be a tremendous player some day at the highest level."
McCullough's arrival couldn't come at a better time, now that Fair and Grant won't be around. His cartoonishly-long arms seem like a perfect fit in Boeheim's vaunted 2-3 zone and he runs the court like a gazelle, drawing comparisons to former Syracuse star Hakim Warrick.
"I have to step up," McCullough said. "I have big shoes to fill. I got to be ready to play."
"At this stage, his role obviously just increased tremendously," Boeheim said. "I think he'll make a huge impact."
Scout.com national recruiting analyst Evan Daniels said the biggest question with McCullough is his motor, his inability at times to play hard consistently. He wasn't chosen for the McDonald's All-American game, but that was because the showcase doesn't invite fifth-year high school players.
"He's as talented as it comes in the 2014 class," Daniels said. "If he was devoted to playing hard every possession, he would be a top-10 prospect."
McCullough has been a fixture among the nation's top prospects for three years now. This year, however, had its share of ups and downs. He was dismissed from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., for a violation of school rules following a solid junior year at the prep powerhouse and landed at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., a humbling experience AAU coach Terrence "Munch" Williams thinks served him well.
"Things happen in life that show you you're not invincible," Williams said. "It allowed him to reflect and sit down and think, take his path and his journey a little more seriously."
Williams said McCullough has begun to eat better, focus more and prepare in earnest for the next level. It showed on the court at IMG as McCullough blossomed, averaging 19 points, 8.8 rebounds and a block, and leading his team to the semifinals of the National Prep Championship.
The Bronx product is a big name nationally, but seldom heard from locally. He never attended high school in the city, preferring to avoid the spotlight and possible distractions. He spent his first two years of high school at Salisbury (Conn.) School before moving over to Brewster followed by IMG Academy.
"That journey allowed him to become a man," WIlliams said. "Just being able to move around, fend for himself, the process of getting up every morning without somebody waking you up, doing your own laundry, trying to eat the right way. Those are real-life traits."
Duke-bound forward Jahlil Okafar scored 29 points and added nine rebounds to earn MVP honors and lead the East to a 158-147 victory in the Classic. Arizona signee Stanley Johnson scored 24 points for the West. … Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Amar'e Stoudemire were in attendance.
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