Even though it didn’t result in winning a championship, UConn’s Dan Hurley is coming off perhaps his most impressive coaching run in March Madness.
His team likely surpassed many people’s expectations, advancing to the final game after defeating the likes of the UCLA Bruins, Michigan State Spartans, and Duke Blue Devils. The latter of those teams was sent home courtesy of a legendary shot from freshman Braylon Mullins, leaving just 0.4 seconds on the clock.
Mullins had been considered an NBA prospect ahead of his first games at UConn, and that continued throughout the season. Some feel his draft stock slipped due to a stretch of poor performances, even though the massive shot from near the half-court logo in the Elite Eight put him heavily in the spotlight.
Now that the season has ended for the Indiana kid who helped his team compete for the championship, he’s got a major decision to make: will he take his talents to the NBA or return for another run under Hurley at UConn?
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On the heels of his team’s loss earlier this week, Hurley appeared in a video chat on Thursday on “The Dan Patrick Show.” Patrick asked Hurley about Mullins’ situation with UConn, and the head coach made some strong and eye-opening statements about his player’s decision.
“I would just say now in college, unless it absolutely makes total sense for you to go in the draft, unless you know you’re gonna be a lottery pick or guaranteed to go top 15 [or] top 18, the biggest mistake you can make right now as a college basketball player is going too early,” he also said.
“Players like Braylon, he’d probably make more money at UConn next year than he would if he’s the 15th pick,” Hurley told Patrick, due to Mullins’ NIL deals and endorsement potential as UConn’s star next season.
During the season, advertisements popped up on television featuring starters Solo Ball, Silas DeMary Jr., Taris Reed Jr., and Alex Karaban, but Mullins was not in that particular recurring ad. Once he hit the huge game-winner against Duke, he shared social media content involving endorsements or paid partnerships, including TurboTax and Raising Cane’s.
As it stands, Mullins isn’t projected by too many mock drafts to go 15th in the NBA. The more likely projections place him around 17th, with some pushing him even further down in the first round. If he decides to enter the draft, he could participate in the NBA Draft Combine and improve his draft stock.
According to Hurley, his conversation with Mullins about the decision will involve whether he enjoys being at college or is more interested in getting to the NBA as soon as possible. For many, it’s better to get to the NBA sooner to begin playing for a second contract and earn significantly more money.
A selling point for Hurley in recruiting Mullins was the coach telling him that UConn would go to the Final Four in Indiana, Mullins’ home state.
That goal was accomplished, and while he got to play in the championship, his team’s overall shooting performance was subpar in a 69-63 loss to Michigan. Mullins was also emotional after the loss and in tears, talking about how he’d miss playing with the upperclassmen on the team.
Whether that was a hint at his future remains to be seen. He’ll have a few weeks to declare for the NBA Draft, with April 26 the deadline. After that, he’ll also have until May 28 to withdraw if he feels his draft projection could be improved with a return to UConn.
Hurley likely wants what is best for his star player, but also wouldn’t mind having him for another run next season to improve his skills and potentially compete for the championship again.
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