INDIANAPOLIS — UConn guard Braylon Mullins said he has “no clue” about if he plans to declare for the NBA draft. The freshman discussed his future after Michigan defeated the Huskies, 69-63, in the national title game Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Mullins, the Greenfield-Central grad and 2025 Indiana Mr. Basketball, scored 11 points on 4 of 17 shooting from the field and had seven rebounds against the Wolverines.
“I haven’t thought about the draft,” Mullins said. “It’s going to be very hard to get over this hump and figure out what the next step is.”
Mullins said he’ll make a decision on the draft in the “following couple of weeks.” Though Mullins is unsure about his future, NBA legend Grant Hill considers him a future pro. Hill won two national titles with Duke in 1991 and 1992. He averaged 16.7 points per game in his 18-year NBA career.
“I think he’ll be a pro,” Hill said. “I’d like to see him get a little stronger. That’ll happen as he gets older, whether he’s in the pros next year or down the road, but he’s got a lot of upside. He can really shoot it, and I think he’ll keep getting better. If you can shoot the ball, there’s a premium for that. And of course, playing for (coach) Dan Hurley and at UConn, you’re gonna have that toughness that you need to thrive at the next level. So, I like his future.”
Mullins averaged 12 points per game this season on 33.7% shooting from 3 on 6.4 attempts per game. Hill compared Mullins to former Kentucky guard Rex Chapman, who averaged 14.6 points per game on 35% shooting from 3 during his 12-year NBA career.
Hill added Mullin’s 6-foot-6 frame, “bouncy” athleticism and ability to defend make him an NBA-caliber player. Hill applauded Mullins for his “good energy,” a quality felt throughout the UConn locker room this season.
Braylon Mullins’ ‘unselfish’ character impacts UConn
Mullins was shy at the beginning of the season, a quiet presence in the locker room. After UConn’s 81-72 loss to St. John’s on Feb. 6, the Huskies encouraged one another to go outside their comfort zone. Mullins began to be more vocal. In turn, he influenced seniors like Alex Karaban.
“He impacted me as a leader. There were days when I was down on myself, and I didn’t realize Braylon was looking up to me and the character of how I present myself, knowing he’s leaning on me,” Karaban said. “He’s a person whose maturity, the confidence he has as a freshman never to shy away from any moment, he’s one of my favorite teammates to be around.
“He touched my heart. He really touched my heart this season. Everything about Braylon Mullins is special.”
Karaban labeled Mullins as “super unselfish.” He praised the 19-year-old for his composure, which was on full display when he hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left to defeat top-seed Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight. Mullins said he’ll miss playing with Karaban and other seniors like Tarris Reed Jr.
UConn didn’t accomplish its three goals this year: win the Big East regular season, the conference tournament championship and the national title. But Hurley told his team it “maximized the season” after reaching the Final Four for the third time in four seasons. Mullins won’t diminish UConn’s 34-6 season either and called it “special.”
Whether Mullins returns next year, only time will tell. But his impact on UConn can’t be denied. So can’t his love for the program.
“I’m so happy I chose this school,” Mullins said. “I wouldn’t want to represent any other program. UConn has been so special to me and has treated me so well. Whatever road I take now, it’s a blessing.”
Joshua Heron is a sports enterprise reporter at IndyStar.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will Braylon Mullins go to NBA draft? Why Grant Hill likes UConn basketball freshman’s potential
Reporting by Joshua Heron, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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