NBA
#29 Brooklyn Nets: Chris McCullough
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
The Brooklyn Nets were rumored to be targeting a guard throughout the draft process, but decided to add another big man to their roster in Chris McCullough with the 29th pick.
McCullough, a 6’10” power forward out of Syracuse, is a tremendous athlete for his size who can run the floor with ease and could be a defensive force down the line as he continues to develop and add strength.
The Nets will need to be patient with McCullough, who is coming off an ACL tear last season. Luckily for McCullough, the Nets can bring him along slowly with centers Brook Lopez and Mason Plumlee already in place so he won’t be forced to contribute immediately and can develop comfortably to the NBA.
McCullough is still very thin for his size at only 200 pounds, so hitting the weight room will be a must for him early in his career to keep up with NBA big men. His athleticism, leaping ability, long reach and youth at only 20 years old could help him be a difference-maker at least defensively a couple years down the line.
McCullough made an impact early in the season for the Orange on defense, blocking 2.1 shots per game thanks to a terrific 7’3 wingspan and great quickness around the basket. McCullough also showed he has a developing offensive game averaging 9.3 points per game in limited action with strong overall activity around the basket. The Nets will grow to love McCullough’s aggressiveness as a rebounder, as he averaged 6.9 boards per game in his lone college season, especially as he adds strength to bang down low.
A Bronx native, McCullough should feel right at home in Brooklyn and has the potential to be a massive threat on defense thanks to his athleticism, length, shot-blocking ability and rebounding.
