Culton attended Ennis High School in Ennis, Texas. He averaged 22.6 points and 19.6 rebounds per game as a senior while he led his team to its first district title and earned first-team all-state honors.[1] He was heavily recruited by colleges, including most teams in the Southwest Conference, and signed a letter of intent with the Texas A&M Aggies on April 14, 1977.[1] He transferred to play for the UT Arlington Mavericks and was named the Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in 1981.[2] He averaged 18.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during the 1981–82 season and was selected as the Southland Player of the Year.[3]