You really can’t help but notice McCullough, one of the area’s true long-term big man prospects. I fully expect Jacob to add another couple of inches and continue filling out his frame — it’s just a matter of when. Once that happens, his name is going to become much more well known around the region. This summer was another step forward as he continued to develop into a more complete offensive player.

Jacob showed noticeable growth as a scorer both inside and out. He can score over either shoulder, create space with his footwork and timing around the basket, and has become much more comfortable stretching the floor with a reliable perimeter shot. He also excels reading ball screens and finding open space for catch-and-shoot opportunities. He should be one of the focal points for St. Thomas Aquinas this winter, and his combination with Luke Jordan Luke Jordan 6'4" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2029 KS is going to be one of the more intriguing duos to watch.

Another name I would place right alongside Schlutow in terms of spring and summer development is McCullough. The true big man has made significant strides over the past several months, and his combination of size, skill, and feel for the game continues to stand out. With each viewing, he appears more comfortable and confident operating at every level offensively.

A high-IQ player, McCullough consistently finds ways to create advantages within the flow of the offense. He is particularly effective in ball-screen actions, where he shows a strong understanding of timing and spacing, whether rolling hard to the rim or popping into open areas for perimeter shooting. His ability to read the game and make the right play has become a major strength.

His perimeter shooting was especially impressive throughout June and has emerged as one of the most impactful aspects of his offensive game. Defenses are forced to account for him away from the basket, and he looks increasingly comfortable scoring from multiple spots on the floor.

What separates McCullough from many young frontcourt prospects, however, is his ability to play with his back to the basket. He has shown the ability to establish position, score over either shoulder, and utilize a variety of post moves — skills that have become increasingly rare in today’s game. That inside-out versatility gives him a unique offensive profile and significantly raises his long-term ceiling.

As he continues to develop physically and refine his game, McCullough is steadily growing into the tremendous upside he possesses as a future frontcourt prospect. His combination of skill, feel, and versatility makes him one of the more intriguing young big men to monitor moving forward.

While McCullough is nowhere near his ceiling, the young big is having a strong spring and consistently brings a versatile and dynamic brand to the court. Jacob is very heady and cerebral on the floor, playing with a feel that makes him look much older than he actually is. He can play with his back to the basket — showing great touch with either hand and a jump hook that’s tough to defend — while also stepping out and knocking down shots from the perimeter. He’s also an effective and willing screener, helping guards get open and creating downhill opportunities against different defenses. McCullough is additionally a very effective positional defender, rotating and protecting the rim while showing strong instincts walling up and forcing tough finishes over the top.

Jacob McCullough is a versatile prospect with good size who impacts the game in a variety of ways. He does it all on the court—scoring, rebounding, facilitating, and defending—while playing with a strong feel for the game. His ability to contribute across multiple areas makes him a valuable piece in any lineup, and as he continues to develop, his skill set projects well to the next level. With his tools and all-around game, he has a bright future ahead of him at the college level.

Jacob is a knockdown shooter who can both space the floor and create his own scoring opportunities. He has a confident, consistent release and the ability to score off the dribble by creating separation with strong footwork and change of pace. Jacob is effective pulling up in rhythm and does not hesitate when given space, making him difficult to guard in isolation situations. His combination of shooting accuracy and shot creation makes him a versatile and reliable offensive threat.