Cullinan Enjoying Career Year for Moravian

Moravian College men’s basketball coach Jim Walker has been the program’s coach for 32 years, and there is no doubt that Bridgewater native, and Immaculata High School graduate, now senior Jeff Cullinan is one of the more improved players to come through the program under Walker’s tenure.

Cullinan, a business management major, is starting consistently for the first time in his career. Through the team’s first nine games—Moravian is 3-6 on the season—Cullinan is averaging 8.1 points a game and 4.8 rebounds a game.

Both are career highs, and prior to this season, Cullinan started a total of five games in career.

“He has gone from a bench player as a freshman to a role player as a sophomore and junior, and now a senior starter,” Walker said. “Jeff has developed into an excellent student and is a model Division III student-athlete.”

Cullinan has also been named to the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Unsung Player Teams of the Month for December by the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Organization.

Cullinan has seen his game improve each year, and it’s no coincidence so have his averages in both scoring and rebounding. His freshman totals were 4.1 points a game and 1.8 boards a game.

“[Jeff] is a rebounder, good three-point shooter and can score in the post,” Walker said.    

Cullinan is a team captain. Moravian, which plays in Division III’s Landmark Conference, is looking to contend for postseason play and Cullinan’s strengths as a player will serve as key requisites for the team’s success.

“He’s a hard worker, quality person, outstanding character and team-oriented,” Walker said.

A key trait of Cullinan’s appeal, according to Walker, is his ability to lead the younger players. The Greyhounds have just three seniors on the team.

“He has excellent leadership skills,” Cullinan said. “He helps our younger players learn how to become better players.”

There is no doubt what Walker has in mind for Cullinan the rest of the season.

“We have asked Jeff to help lead us to becoming a winning team that can make the playoffs,” Walker said.

OTHER LOCAL BRIDGEWATER AREA STANDOUTS

Austin Cahill, Washington and Jefferson College, Immaculata—The Immaculata High School graduate started 11 games last season and is one of the team’s captains.

Robin O’Dell, Misericordia University, —The freshman forward has played in three games for a stacked team, which is 4-4 on the season.

Andrew August, Montclair State University, Bridgewater-Raritan High School—The senior star player for Montclair State is off to a sensational start on the season. August is averaging a double-double, 21.1 points a game and 10.3 rebounds a game for Red Hawks, who are 7-2 to start the season.