The Otago Nuggets' guard decided against signing for the franchise earlier in the season so he could pursue other opportunities.
He played in the Australian NBL 1 competition, then in two games for Calgary in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
He was released from Calgary recently, but has not remained a free agent very long.
McCullough was instrumental in the Nuggets’ championship run last year and the franchise jumped at the opportunity to re-sign the Tall Black, coach Brent Matehaere said.
"We got into talks with him on Friday — the day of the Saints game — and I think after the game he got back and said he’ll come."
He has already arrived in Dunedin, and should have no trouble slotting back into the system ahead of an important game against the Canterbury Rams in Dunedin tomorrow.
The Rams have been one of the form teams in the National Basketball League this season, so McCullough’s return is timely from that point of view.
He still needs clearance from the league to play in that game, but the Nuggets are confident the paperwork will be wrapped up by then.
McCullough will also help fill the void left by the ongoing absence of star import JaQuori McLaughlin.
He has been sidelined since the 93-84 loss to the Auckland Tuatara in Dunedin on May 18.
McLaughlin took a heavy knock to the knee in that game, and it is unclear when he will return to court.
McCullough’s arrival helps relieve some of that pressure.
"Darcy [Knox] is doing a great job on the point, but Nikau offers some more support for him," Matehaere said.
"And Tai Webster arrives this week after the [Rams] game, so we obviously have some talent coming in.
"It is just a matter of continuing to work through it, and, if JaQuori becomes available, it just makes us really deep in those guard positions.
"I’m hoping for the best."
Matehaere said there was no fixed timeline for McLaughlin’s return. He is basically on light duties until his knee shows some improvement.
"He is in a de-loading phase to see if that makes a difference. Then we’ll go back to loading him up and see if we can get him back on court."
McLaughlin scored a career-high 39 points in his last outing to collect his second NBL performance of the round award. He is clearly a player worth waiting for.
