NBA Comparison: Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Strengths: Great size and length at the four spot to go along with top-notch fluidity when running the floor and getting off the ground … Scores, rebounds and can defend high above the rim … Very dangerous in transition, uses very good angles when running with guards and attacks the basket with regularity … Ability to put the ball on the floor and makes quick moves to the basket, draws a lot of fouls and gets good looks close to the hoop … Has potential to stretch the floor with his outside shot. Confidence in jumper is building and he is a threat to knock down the open 15-17 footer, with range even out to the college three point line … Athleticism and length make him a high level offensive rebounder, keeps a lot of possessions alive … Has been very aggressive and while some expected for him to come along slowly, he’s showing a lot of ability as an offensive option … Unselfish, shows some decent passing ability out of the post and has the look of a strong high post passer … His maturity and fast transition to the college game is incredibly promising, though it is a limited sample size, he certainly has made a major impact … Lateral quickness is great for his size, he affects shots on the perimeter and can be a versatile defender … Nice timing as a shot blocker, can get to shots at their apex and is someone you must account for when driving to the basket … His body and willingness to buy in to Syracuse’s schemes are great signs … Level of activity on both ends has been fantastic, especially seeing that some labeled him as not having a “high motor” … Frame that should add weight over time, just looks like he was meant to play basketball with a skillset that will give coaches a lot to work with …

Weaknesses: While he has added weight, his body still has a ways to go … Will play a bit high at times, which makes it difficult for him to fight for position on both ends in the post … Not much an option with his back-to-the-basket at this point in time, needs to work on establishing some moves and counters near the basket … Still needs to work on his ball skills, handling and possibly having a higher release point on his jump shot … Fundamentals as a rebounder can definitely use work and would make him even more dangerous on the boards, must do a better job of putting a body on his opponent and boxing out … A year older than a typical freshman, may have helped in his readiness for college and will be something to keep in mind when comparing him to other freshmen … Awareness on both ends of the floor needs work as he can lose focus at times and let offensive players get behind him … Range and consistency on jump shot will need to be fine tuned … Mistake prone at times, will improve with more focus and better adjusting to the tendencies of his teammates … Can get into foul trouble, mostly due to lack of strength and at times a lack of focus … Has been known to have questionable shot selection and drift to the perimeter, which goes away from his strengths as a cutter, pick-and-roll option and generally attacking the basket … Communication and leadership are both things that will need work once he is at the highest level …

Notes: From the Bronx, New York, though played at high schools in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Florida … Measured at 6’8.5 (in shoes) 195 lbs, with a 7’2.5 wingspan at the 2012 Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy … Measured 6’8.5 (with shoes) 198 lbs with a 7’2.5 wingspan at the 2013 LeBron James Skills Academy … Was dismissed from Brewster Academy, finishing high school at IMG Academy … Played in the 2014 Jordan Brand Classic, was not eligible for the McDonald’s All-American game as he was technically a “post grad” … Was considered one of the most talented freshmen coming into college … Syracuse was always expecting him to make a contribution, but they will absolutely need him to play at a high level and stay competitive with the top teams in the ACC … An absolute match-up nightmare with his combination of size, speed and athleticism, has proved to be very coachable, understanding how to best use his physical tools and talent … McCullough has a great NBA body that could build him into a prototype starting PF, with athleticism that is very rare at his size … There are still some unknowns surrounding him and it is a long season, though his early play certainly has him in lottery discussion, with a definite possibility of being in the top half of the lottery …

Michael Visenberg 12/2/14