CBS Sports: Burning scheme questions for every five-star freshman

[HooperScooper]

No. 12 Braylon Mullins, UConn​

Expected role: Starting guard

Burning college question: How does he hammer long closeouts?

Mullins is one of the premier shot-makers in the Class of 2025 who chose an offense that has a four-year sample size of generating a million unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.

UConn open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer frequency, per Synergy:

• 2024-25: 84th percentile
• 2023-24: 98th percentile
• 2022-23: 92nd percentile
• 2021-22: 94th percentile

This marriage is going to work, but it could be elevated by how Mullins can attack long closeouts. Opposing defenders will know the scouting report. Can Mullins make them pay consistently when they aggressively try to take away 3-pointers? Mullins can hit floaters and runners. He can finish above the rim. He's shown he can make reads as a playmaker. He's going to make open shots, but Mullins can be one of the best freshmen in the country if he's just as dangerous at punishing over-aggressive defenders.

Burning scheme questions for Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and every five-star freshman in college basketball

The star-studded 2025 recruiting class will have its fingerprints all over the upcoming college basketball season

www.cbssports.com

 

[HooperScooper]

Another article today. Freshmen that could enter the NBA Draft in the spring. The first 7 players are in "Tier 1: Definitely". Mullins is in "Tier 2: Probably". Then there's "Tier 3: Maybe" and "Tier 4: The Deep Cuts".

SG Braylon Mullins, UConn
Height/Weight: 6-6/196
Rivals150: No. 12
From Cam Spencer to Liam McNeeley, if you can make shots from three-point range, you will have the opportunity to perform well for Dan Hurley. Braylon Mullins was possibly the best movement shooter in the 2025 cycle. How quickly he gets acclimated to the speed and physicality of the game could be interesting to monitor. And so will his ability to make plays outside of just pulling gravity along the perimeter. His superpower is his shooting, so showing he can consistently do that leading up to the NBA Draft will be his biggest thing. He has sneaky pop in his game, and he plays with a competitive fire.

The loaded 2025 class has arrived: 25 freshmen who could hear their names called in the 2026 NBA Draft

Rivals' Jamie Shaw looks across the college basketball landscape to discuss potential one-and-done players for the 2026 NBA Draft.

www.on3.com

The RuffRuff Alternate Access™:

The loaded 2025 class has arrived: 25 freshmen who could hear their names called in the 2026 NBA Draft​

 

[MexicoHusky]

Yawn.... preaching to deaf ears on this board. This is a "high hedge" and "actual height" board only.

 

[superjohn]

The whole "sneaky pop" "sneaky athleticism" "sneaky bounce" thing is so played out. It's said anytime anyone talks about Mullins. There's nothing sneaky about it.

 

[Mr. French]

The whole "sneaky pop" "sneaky athleticism" "sneaky bounce" thing is so played out. It's said anytime anyone talks about Mullins. There's nothing sneaky about it.

I think it’s considered sneaky because most people talk about him as only a sniper.

I agree overall though, he’s been a good athlete.

 

[RuffRuff]

Just when I think this board has gone all to hell, HS swoops in and keeps it on the rails with alternate access.

An interesting mention:

No. 15 Nik Khamenia, Duke​

Expected role: Frontcourt rotation

Burning college question: How much Alex Karaban tape has Khamenia watched?

OK, maybe it's not the perfect comp, but Khamenia tape gives off a ton of Karaban vibes. The 6-8, 215-pound forward can pass, dribble, shoot and defend. He's smart, doesn't need the ball to be an asset and his teams tend to just win ballgames.

That's no coincidence.

The size, skill, and winning intangibles will help him get on the floor, even for a Duke coaching staff that has to find minutes in the front line for Cam Boozer, Pat Ngongba and Maliq Brown. I think Khamenia can comfortably shift to the 3, if Dame Sarr (more on him in a minute) isn't up to snuff on that particular night.

Khamenia's minutes may fluctuate from game to game, based on the matchup and who is healthy, but he checks off the boxes as a connect-the-dots role player who will pick up this scheme quickly. Jon Scheyer should have plenty of fun using Khamenia's shooting, passing and cutting to bend defenses. I'd be stunned if he doesn't play plenty.

They included Sarr in this list - already some talk over in Dukie-land of him not starting, he's not adjusting as hoped in early practices.

 

[HooperScooper]

Just when I think this board has gone all to hell, HS swoops in and keeps it on the rails with alternate access.

Notice the new trademark? I hope you don't mind but I trademarked the RuffRuff Alternate Access™. Maybe we can get some revenue some how for the links.

 

[RuffRuff]

Notice the new trademark? I hope you don't mind but I trademarked the RuffRuff Alternate Access™. Maybe we can get some revenue some how for the links.

I’m all for the trademark. Need a logo to get the brand going.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Just when I think this board has gone all to hell, HS swoops in and keeps it on the rails with alternate access.

An interesting mention:

No. 15 Nik Khamenia, Duke​

Expected role: Frontcourt rotation

Burning college question: How much Alex Karaban tape has Khamenia watched?

OK, maybe it's not the perfect comp, but Khamenia tape gives off a ton of Karaban vibes. The 6-8, 215-pound forward can pass, dribble, shoot and defend. He's smart, doesn't need the ball to be an asset and his teams tend to just win ballgames.

That's no coincidence.

The size, skill, and winning intangibles will help him get on the floor, even for a Duke coaching staff that has to find minutes in the front line for Cam Boozer, Pat Ngongba and Maliq Brown. I think Khamenia can comfortably shift to the 3, if Dame Sarr (more on him in a minute) isn't up to snuff on that particular night.

Khamenia's minutes may fluctuate from game to game, based on the matchup and who is healthy, but he checks off the boxes as a connect-the-dots role player who will pick up this scheme quickly. Jon Scheyer should have plenty of fun using Khamenia's shooting, passing and cutting to bend defenses. I'd be stunned if he doesn't play plenty.

They included Sarr in this list - already some talk over in Dukie-land of him not starting, he's not adjusting as hoped in early practices.

I really like Khamenia, not sure he’s a shooter of Alex’s theoretical caliber, but he’s gonna be an awesome college player imo.

 

[Son of Robert]

I’m all for the trademark. Need a logo to get the brand going.
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It's you man.