Men’s Basketball
Austin, McCullough Join Cal Roster
Wyking Jones Adds Two Versatile Guards With Latest Commits
BERKELEY – California’s roster continues to take shape with the addition of two versatile guards in sophomore transfer Paris Austin and prep standout Austin McCullough, men’s basketball head coach Wyking Jones announced today.
Austin, an Oakland native, will join the Golden Bears as a transfer from Boise State University. He will be eligible to play for two seasons after sitting out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA requirements. McCullough, out of Portage Central High School in Michigan, will be immediately available to boost Cal’s roster this fall. Both have signed financial aid agreements with Cal.
At Boise State, Austin averaged 8.4 points in 62 appearances, including 21 starts. The point guard shot 46.5 percent, including 49.1 percent in his sophomore campaign, and led the Broncos with 90 assists across all 32 games last season. Austin was voted an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection by the league’s media and coaches after averaging 12.3 points, second among his teammates, in his second season.
Austin joined Boise State after a standout career as a three-year start at Bishop O’Dowd, where he led the Dragons to four consecutive CIF North Coast Section Division III championships and played alongside Golden Bear Ivan Rabb. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 steals and was a consensus four-star prospect.
“I’ve been a fan of Paris’ game since seeing him in high school, so to be able to bring him back home to Oakland is a blessing,” Jones said. “His competitive fire is what makes him stand out. I believe he’s going to continue to build hometown excitement to Haas.”
McCullough will join the Bears after becoming Portage Central’s all-time leading scorer and the first player in school history to break the 1,000-point mark. The 6-5 wing shot 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from downtown in his senior season en route to earning 2016-17 Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team honors.
“I am really excited about the addition of Austin McCullough to our family. He’s a wonderful young man that fits the culture that we live by here at Cal,” Jones said. “He approaches academics and athletics with the same passion.”
McCullough was named a Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Class A honorable mention selection after averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block for the Mustangs this season.
“On the court he is an unbelievable shooter and rugged athlete. He brings toughness and a great feel for the game,” Jones added
Austin, McCullough Join Cal Roster
Wyking Jones Adds Two Versatile Guards With Latest Commits
BERKELEY – California’s roster continues to take shape with the addition of two versatile guards in sophomore transfer Paris Austin and prep standout Austin McCullough, men’s basketball head coach Wyking Jones announced today.
Austin, an Oakland native, will join the Golden Bears as a transfer from Boise State University. He will be eligible to play for two seasons after sitting out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA requirements. McCullough, out of Portage Central High School in Michigan, will be immediately available to boost Cal’s roster this fall. Both have signed financial aid agreements with Cal.
At Boise State, Austin averaged 8.4 points in 62 appearances, including 21 starts. The point guard shot 46.5 percent, including 49.1 percent in his sophomore campaign, and led the Broncos with 90 assists across all 32 games last season. Austin was voted an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection by the league’s media and coaches after averaging 12.3 points, second among his teammates, in his second season.
Austin joined Boise State after a standout career as a three-year start at Bishop O’Dowd, where he led the Dragons to four consecutive CIF North Coast Section Division III championships and played alongside Golden Bear Ivan Rabb. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 steals and was a consensus four-star prospect.
“I’ve been a fan of Paris’ game since seeing him in high school, so to be able to bring him back home to Oakland is a blessing,” Jones said. “His competitive fire is what makes him stand out. I believe he’s going to continue to build hometown excitement to Haas.”
McCullough will join the Bears after becoming Portage Central’s all-time leading scorer and the first player in school history to break the 1,000-point mark. The 6-5 wing shot 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from downtown in his senior season en route to earning 2016-17 Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team honors.
“I am really excited about the addition of Austin McCullough to our family. He’s a wonderful young man that fits the culture that we live by here at Cal,” Jones said. “He approaches academics and athletics with the same passion.”
McCullough was named a Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Class A honorable mention selection after averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block for the Mustangs this season.
“On the court he is an unbelievable shooter and rugged athlete. He brings toughness and a great feel for the game,” Jones added
