“Players like Braylon would probably make more money at UConn next year than if he were the No. 15 pick,” Dan Hurley said a few weeks ago. At the time, Braylon Mullins was contemplating whether to declare for the NBA draft or to stay another year and work on his craft to improve his draft position. Now that the UConn star is betting on himself, many in the NCAA world believe he’s simply dodging a reality check.

Mullins has already etched himself into March Madness folklore with that game-winner against Duke in the Sweet 16. It was arguably the greatest moment in college basketball in the last five years. However, his entire body of work in the freshman season was not bad either.

In 33 games this season, Mullins averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. He shot 33.5% from the 3-point line on 6.5 attempts per game. Now, the 20-year-old has announced his return to the program for another year, which is being called a good decision. 

“unfinished business,” Mullins wrote on Instagram along with a highlight reel announcing his return to the team.

He was projected to be picked in the NBA draft and could have been one-and-done. But this decision is being hailed as a smart one by the fans. They feel the sharpshooter was not ready for the big leagues just yet. 

Braylon Mullins was judged as not ready for the NBA after the Draft decision

“Good call by the kid. Wasn’t even top 30 in the draft,” wrote one.

If we consider the mock drafts, Mullins was largely hanging around in the top 15. In the USA Today mock draft, he was No. 14 overall to the Hornets. In the March 11 mock draft from ESPN, before “the shot,” Mullins was picked to be No. 13 by the Golden State Warriors. However, ultimately, this class is just so good that everyone has different orders. The hype could have led to him being picked higher than he deserved, potentially affecting his long-term career.

“This is a great move by Braylon,” wrote a fan, “I have had him the lowest of anybody, and I was afraid Mullins would be overdrafted, and it would kill his career. Braylon can go back, really show his game, and really get a top spot now.”

The higher a player is drafted, the greater the expectations placed on them. They are expected to contribute immediately. If a player is not ready, he may be relegated to the bench or, at worst, waived. This can damage a player’s confidence and mental state, potentially sending them on a downward trajectory. As a result, Mullins may not yet feel ready to take that next step. Staying in college and honing his craft could therefore be the better option.

“Smart move by Braylon Mullins to return for sophomore season,” wrote DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. “Rated No. 27 on my board. Shot 34% from 3 and didn’t impact the game enough in other areas—3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.1 FTA per game. Needs to get stronger and more versatile on both ends.”

The guard was an above-average shooter as a freshman. However, that meant his game was pretty one-dimensional because of his defined role in this stacked team. The talent is clearly visible, but he hasn’t pressured the rim much. Mullins ranks in the 17th percentile in rim pressure and finished just 56% of his shots around the rim.

His defense has been average, reflected in a DBPM of 2.9. He is underweight compared to his peers, which could be a weakness in the NBA. His statistical profile shows promise but also highlights the need for further development.

“Great move for Braylon Mullins, imo — primed to really boost his draft stock as a sophomore,” commented one.

According to The Athletic, “Mullins needed to work on this cycle. He struggled to hold his line on that end of the court due to his lack of physicality. That, along with improved jump shooting and more consistent passing to his teammates, will give Mullins every opportunity to be a lottery pick in 2027.”

So, he has all the makings of improving his draft stock, like Yaxel Lendeborg, who was a projected first-rounder last year but has now entered lottery territory. 

“Great decision that’ll benefit both parties,” wrote another. Like every year, UConn is once again looking like a contender. Dan Hurley returns his entire starting backcourt next season. Mullins will be pairing with Silas Demary Jr. and Solo Ball to form one of the most experienced groups in the country. They also replaced four-year starter Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. with a pair of highly sought-after transfer portal recruits in former Duke forward Nikolas Khamenia and former Seton Hall center Najai Hines. A chip here could further elevate Mullins in the 2027 draft as well.