ETSU's Morris, McCullum Provide Needed Post Presence

Transfers Cam Morris III and Jordan McCullum have been key contributors for the Buccaneers this season.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:47pm

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East Tennessee State basketball coach Brooks Savage had specific needs in the post, and he found great fits with transfers Cam Morris III and Jordan McCullum. The pair of 6-8 posts, along with Blake Barkley, have given the Bucs the presence they've needed down low, combining for 49 points in a recent win over Wofford. Morris is the team's leading scorer at 14.9 points per game, while McCullum had a big game against the Terriers with 17 points, his most this season against a Division I opponent.

Why it matters

With only three players back from last season's squad, Savage had to quickly rebuild his team, and the additions of Morris and McCullum have been crucial to the Bucs' success so far this season. Their chemistry and leadership have been key factors in the team's 16-7 overall record and 7-2 mark in the Southern Conference.

The details

Morris, an Alabama native, played at UMass Lowell before coming to ETSU as a grad student, while McCullum, a sophomore transfer from Murray State, is from East Tennessee and was the TSSAA Class A Player of the Year at Harriman High School. The three post players quickly formed a bond, with Morris serving as a mentor to the younger Barkley and McCullum.

  • The Bucs had a 16-7 overall record and 7-2 in the Southern Conference heading into Wednesday's game against Furman.
  • Sunday's 86-72 win over Wofford saw the trio of Morris, Barkley, and McCullum combine for 49 points.

The players

Cam Morris III

A graduate transfer from UMass Lowell, Morris is the team's leading scorer at 14.9 points per game and has served as a mentor to the younger post players.

Jordan McCullum

A sophomore transfer from Murray State, McCullum is from East Tennessee and was the TSSAA Class A Player of the Year at Harriman High School. He had a big game against Wofford with 17 points.

Blake Barkley

One of the three post players who have given the Bucs a presence down low, Barkley is averaging 14 points per game.

Brooks Savage

The head coach of the ETSU basketball team, Savage had specific needs in the post and found great fits with Morris and McCullum.

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What they’re saying

“You think they will be good players before you sign them, but you have no idea if they're going to be your leading scorer or a starter. You hope you don't miss, and you hope it turns out right. We liked Cam, but you never know until you coach them. The biggest thing is they're like-minded, high character and they want to win.”

— Brooks Savage, Head Coach

“When I came here, it felt like home. I was closer to home and they told me how everybody loves basketball here.”

— Cam Morris III

“I liked Johnson City because it was close to home, and I played in high school with Maki Johnson. If you can go somewhere where you already got a little chemistry, and you can build on that.”

— Jordan McCullum

What’s next

The Bucs will look to continue their strong season as they face off against Furman on Wednesday and then take on other Southern Conference opponents in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The additions of transfers Cam Morris III and Jordan McCullum have been crucial to the ETSU Buccaneers' success this season, providing the team with a strong presence in the post and helping to quickly rebuild the roster after losing most of last year's team. Their chemistry and leadership have been key factors in the Bucs' 16-7 overall record and 7-2 mark in the Southern Conference.