I really hope Mullins comes back | Page 3 | The Boneyard

I really hope Mullins comes back

He either will or won't. The kid will just keep getting better on any he level.
 
UCfor3 said:
Follow your dreams for sure but for some players there is a non-zero chance they could be riding a bus to play in Sioux Falls or someplace like that in the G League for the majority of their rookie year. At 19 years old doing that at a professional level with older men might not sound as appealing as still making a few million and playing one more year of college. NIL does make the decision more challenging for some, not all people.
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I personally doubt a player would develop better than a G league than they would coming back to UConn.

I'm curious, what's the attendance for most games in the G league? Can't do much for a player's self-esteem to be playing in front of an empty stadium.
 
RBHusky7 said:
If you are guaranteed to be a 1st round pick, you go. Period. Full stop.

I remember some on this board saying Thabeet needed to come back and he was drafted 2nd. Made 17m dollars over 5 years (probably 30m in today’s money) and changed his life forever.

Players drafted in the first round can improve in the G league playing against other pros while making several million dollars. Some people seem to think Braylon will be better prepared for the league by putting up 25pts against DePaul in December.
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Donovan Clingan disagreed
 
UConnTrumbull said:
He will certainly test the waters. Why wouldn’t he?
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Agree totally but the vibe I got from his Dad is that the NBA GM’s are high enough on him to make it hard to pass up. Not saying it’s 100% but it’s close.
 
HuskyHawk said:
Dan will talk to people in the NBA and they will provide Braylon with information to make the decision. One thing we've learned from Dan is that he's not going to put UConn's interests ahead of the player interests. I think there's a legit decision to made here, in part because this class is so strong it will push Mullins down from where he'd go next year. He'd be our best player.
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I've seen him mocked pretty consistently in the 15-25 range, but pretty much all in the 1st round. He will definitely declare and test the waters and 99% will enter the draft.

The 1% chance he returns? He was so enamored by Hurley and UConn and last night left such a bitter taste in his mouth he decides to run it back 1 more time to chase a title. I think giving that scenario playing out a 1% chance is being generous too.
 
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formerlurker said:
Agree totally but the vibe I got from his Dad is that the NBA GM’s are high enough on him to make it hard to pass up. Not saying it’s 100% but it’s close.
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I’ll be happy for Braylon either way. Our program benefits by getting the reputation of having some 1-and-dones.
 
formerlurker said:
Agree totally but the vibe I got from his Dad is that the NBA GM’s are high enough on him to make it hard to pass up. Not saying it’s 100% but it’s close.
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Good stuff, thanks for sharing. His dad said very different things in DC. Either the GM's weren't ready to reach out yet at that point or his stock really did go up over the course of a couple games. Even Dauster said UConn was in the process of putting something together for him to bring him back.
 
That Guy said:
If he misses that shot against Duke I think there would be a decent chance, but I can't see it happening now.
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You really think that shot changed any NBA scouts minds about Mullins? The general public, sure, but NBA scouts dig deep into statistics and aren't going to be overly swayed by one play. Maybe I'm wrong about that but with so much at stake I can't imagine they would be so easily manipulated by one play.
 
FWIW, NBADraft.net doesnt have him in their 2026 mock. They have him in 2027 going 18. And that was updated today.

NBA Mock Draft - NBADraft.net

Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits.
www.nbadraft.net
 
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I'd love to have Mullins back but it creates a log jam at 2-3 with him Ball and Ross. I like what I have seen from Ross' development this year but I wonder if a Mullins return would stunt further growth. Ross needs more minutes. In the end, I just want what's best for the team so I would take Mullins in a heartbeat, but II would feel bad for Ross and always wonder what might have been.
 
Donyell 360 said:
You really think that shot changed any NBA scouts minds about Mullins? The general public, sure, but NBA scouts dig deep into statistics and aren't going to be overly swayed by one play. Maybe I'm wrong about that but with so much at stake I can't imagine they would be so easily manipulated by one play.
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I think it's more so the combination of it not being guaranteed he would be a lottery pick (still not guaranteed) and knowing they came so close to the Final Four and fell just short that would make him really consider coming back next season. The fact they made it to the national title game in his hometown is pretty much what he hoped to accomplish while here and so he might feel there is no point in coming back, even if he's not fully ready for the NBA yet.
 
temery said:
I personally doubt a player would develop better than a G league than they would coming back to UConn.

I'm curious, what's the attendance for most games in the G league? Can't do much for a player's self-esteem to be playing in front of an empty stadium.
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Yeah, I'm guessing you could hear the guy yawning in the 20th row. If someone wants to turn pro go for it. They just need to be told the reality of what life can possibly be like for them in the next year or two. When you hear testimonials from people, some have regrets and it can be a lonely time. Many of your teammates are married and or have kids and do their own thing outside of practice and games. It's not always like in college when you are chopping it up with buddies. You have to be mature and ready for all the possibilities. Everyone is different. Some are ready. Some aren't ready for that life and enjoy college. NIL and a.good insurance policy are the way for them for one more year while they improve their game and draft stock. Doesn't matter what any of us think. Braylon has to do what he wants and what's best for him. I will be a big fan of his either way.
 
temery said:
I personally doubt a player would develop better than a G league than they would coming back to UConn.

I'm curious, what's the attendance for most games in the G league? Can't do much for a player's self-esteem to be playing in front of an empty stadium.
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Playing at UConn is certainly more pressure packed than the G League. The games are simply more important and intense. But plenty of nba franchises have better player development than college programs and they all believe they do.
 
He’s projected mid 1st Rnd. He needs maturity and work on his game. Last night he showed some top level athleticism starting to show through with impact on the boards and even on D. If he stays, he will mature into a total killer.
 
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He ain’t coming back, Mullins being in Hurleys system for a year will probably make him more attractive to teams.
 
Kenny11 said:
Playing at UConn is certainly more pressure packed than the G League. The games are simply more important and intense. But plenty of nba franchises have better player development than college programs and they all believe they do.
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I just don't see how much a player can develop in what amounts to a pick up game in front of a handful of fans. I see the G league as a place where players have used up their college eligibility, get a second chance to prove themselves.
 
That Guy said:
I think it's more so the combination of it not being guaranteed he would be a lottery pick (still not guaranteed) and knowing they came so close to the Final Four and fell just short that would make him really consider coming back next season. The fact they made it to the national title game in his hometown is pretty much what he hoped to accomplish while here and so he might feel there is no point in coming back, even if he's not fully ready for the NBA yet.
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Or he could feel he has unfinished business. Not that UConn would necessarily be favored to win next year if he came back (we still have bigger holes to fill) but since we are speculating, it seems just as possible it could work the opposite way you imagine.
 
Others here know this stuff better, but I'm guessing he gets 8-10 shots a game with us? The percentages matter a lot less than what he really brings to the table.
You don't have to be Drew Nicholas or whoever to see this kid was born to play basketball, has an elite release and shot, and at 19 years old has sky high potential. There's a home for him in the NBA.
The only ice cube's chance in Bridgeport there is that he stays - is that as of March 29th, the kid is a legend around here and the NIL cash will pour down from the sky.
 
Of course he's not ready for the NBA now. Being ready now isn't the metric. It's a "potential" check for the draft and he has passed it I think. He'll get ready over the spring/summer and his first two years in the NBA. With that said I'd LOVE to see him in college for year two. I miss those sophomore jumps we used to see. I think this was it for his college career.
 
$ wise better to go. Basketball wise better to stay, add the loaded draft this year vs next and it’s definitely something to evaluate. Hopefully he chooses whichever he truly wants and it projects out best over the next 10 yrs.
 
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djct1999 said:
Here we go again. He isn’t ready? Says who. Braylon was playing at less than 100% all season in a system that spreads the ball around. He is an elite shooter who has underrated aspects to his game. Gm’s will fall in love with him.
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He shot 42% from the field and 33.5% from three on the season. He may be capable of being an elite shooter (and certainly he had the reputation for it) but that wasn't the reality this year. He was 4/17 and 3/10 last night. His first 3 point attempt hit only the backboard.
 
temery said:
You could probably count on one hand the number of kids who would turn down the NBA to stay in college for more money for a year or two. NBA is their dream if they get drafted they'll still be a millionaire. Follow your dreams.
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You mean like AK twice?
 
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