UConn basketball got major news on Saturday night when freshman guard Braylon Mullins announced he will not enter the NBA draft this offseason and will return for another year of college basketball.
Mullins Will Be Back at UConn
Mullins appeared in 36 games for UConn this season, accumulating 12 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists, helping the Huskies reach the national championship game.
The highlight of Mullins’ freshman season came when he sank a nearly half-court game-winning shot to defeat Duke in the Elite Eight, securing a spot in the Final Four. This moment not only etched his name in college basketball history but also made him a household name among fans everywhere.
Mullins is a native of Greenfield, Indiana, and 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 12 player in the 2025 high school class.
Many people believed that Mullins was on his way to the NBA this season, but he decided to spend one more year in college basketball to better pursue his goals.
UConn was very close to winning a title this season, just a few possessions away. With Mullins returning for another season at the school, he might help the Huskies become the team to beat heading into next season.
Nikolas Khamenia is Heading to UConn
Mullins will now have the chance to team up with former Duke freshman Nikolas Khamenia, who recently completed the transfer process after the season ended and committed to UConn on Saturday.
When Khamenia announced he was heading to UConn, many speculated he could take over the Mullins role. However, now the two will be teammates, and many UConn fans can’t wait to see it.
247 Sports ranked Khamenia as the 15th overall player in the 2025 high school class. With both Mullins and Khamenia, who were top 15 players emerging from their class, UConn is set to strengthen its roster significantly.
Khamenia recorded 5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 38 games coming off the bench at Duke last season, and he’s expected to take on a larger role at UConn this year.
Where was Mullins expected to be drafted?
One of the reasons Mullins likely didn’t want to enter the NBA this season was that he wasn’t going to be a top 10 pick unless something drastic occurred.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley published his mock draft on Friday, featuring the Memphis Grizzlies selecting Mullins with the 16th pick.
“While the Grizzlies would give Darryn Peterson the keys to the offense, they’d also like to provide him with some breathing room. Mullins looks like the perfect prospect to supply it,” Buckley wrote. “If he stays in this draft, he might be its best shooter, and he understands what it takes to maximize that skill. His off-ball movement never stops, and he has enough confidence to launch from wherever he finds an opening.”
Mullins now has a solid opportunity to improve his draft stock and potentially secure a top 10 pick in 2027 when the draft class will feature fewer standout names.
UConn will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season, especially to see how Mullins performs in his second year with the Huskies.
UConn Guard Braylon Mullins Makes His Final Call on NBA Draft Plans After Nikolas Khamenia News