Chris McCullough: Road Tested

Bradenton (FL), IMG Academy, 6-10, F

by Franklyn Calle, Slam Magazine, April 2014

Having spent his entire high school career away from home, Bronx product Chris McCullough, who started his prep odyssey at Salisbury (CT) School, has had his share of experiences. “I’ve been doing this for five years,” says McCullough, who’ll be attending Syracuse in the fall. “I moved away from my home at 13, so I’m used to it by now.”

It also didn’t take long for his skill set to show. As a sophomore, McCullough averaged 13.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 2 bpg, leading Salisbury to its frst NEPSAC Class A title in history after dropping 26 in the championship game.

He then transferred to Brewster (NH) Academy for his junior year, helping his new team capture the NEPSAC Class AAA title. But then came a roadblock. 

Just days before the start of his senior season, he was dismissed from Brewster for violating school rules. “The lesson I learned is to be smart and make better decisions.”

Now finishing his high school eligibility at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, the athletic, explosive big has only validated the old saying, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” 

Within his first month, he averaged over 22 ppg and 9 rpg. And with Cuse on deck, so is his focus. “I’m working on being a complete, more aggressive player,” he says. “And hopefully the outcome will be winning a National Championship as a freshman.”

— Franklyn Calle, Slam Magazine, April 2014