Lance McCullers Jr.
Overview
Lance McCullers Jr. (born October 2, 2001) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Golden State Warriors of the NBA (National Basketball Association). His primary position is a wingman who alternates between small forward and power forward, contributing to the team with excellent athleticism, defensive ability, and a developing three-point shot. After being selected with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, he entered the professional stage through a G League contract before signing a standard contract with the Warriors.
Main Content
Early Life and High School Years
Lance McCullers Jr. was born in Houston, Texas, and showed promise in basketball from his high school days. Playing at Clear Brook High School in Houston, he averaged 18.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his junior year, earning recognition as one of the top prospects in the region. Notably, his father, Lance McCullers Sr., is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, drawing attention to his sports family background. After graduating high school, he received offers from several colleges but ultimately decided to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
College Years (UNLV)
At UNLV, McCullers played for three seasons from 2020-21 to 2022-23. In his first season, he averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, gradually adapting, and in his sophomore year, he grew significantly with averages of 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Particularly in his junior season of 2022-23, he averaged 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals, establishing himself as the team's ace. His strengths were his defense using a long wingspan (approximately 2.13m) and transition ability, while his three-point shooting percentage of 33.5% left room for improvement. That season, he earned the honor of being named to the Mountain West Conference Second Team.
NBA Draft and Professional Career
In the 2023 NBA Draft, McCullers was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 57th overall pick in the second round. Immediately after the draft, the Warriors signed him to a two-way contract, allowing him to also play for the G League's Santa Cruz Warriors. Early in the 2023-24 season, he made a strong impression in the G League, averaging 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, and in January 2024, he signed a standard NBA contract with the Warriors. His NBA debut occurred on January 15, 2024, against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he recorded 4 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes of play. In the latter part of the season, he was included in the rotation, averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds, demonstrating his potential.
Playing Style and Strengths
McCullers' greatest strength is his defensive versatility. Using his 201cm height and 213cm wingspan, he can defend positions 1 through 4, showing excellent timing particularly in blocks and steals. On offense, while not yet fully developed, he excels in finishing on cuts and in transition, and if his three-point shot stabilizes, he has significant potential to grow into a 3&D (three-point shooting and defense) type player. Weaknesses noted include a lack of ball-handling and creative shot creation ability.
Latest Trends
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, McCullers secured a spot on the roster with impressive performances in the Warriors' preseason camp. In October 2024, reports emerged that the Warriors had signed him to a three-year, $12 million extension, indicating the team's high regard for his potential. Early in the 2024-25 season, he is averaging 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in about 18 minutes per game off the bench. Notably, on November 12, 2024, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he set a career high with 22 points and 8 rebounds. The Warriors' coaching staff highly values his defensive skills and is developing tactics to increase his utilization in two-man games with Stephen Curry. Additionally, as of January 2025, his three-point shooting percentage has risen to 36.2%, showing increasing stability on offense. NBA experts suggest he could be a candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Related Topics
- [[Golden State Warriors]]
- [[NBA Draft]]
- [[3&D player]]