Braylon Mullins, projected NBA 1st-round pick, to stay at UConn

Yukon New Braylon MullinsAn NBA first-round draft pick, he will return to the Huskies for his sophomore season, his father announced Saturday.

Mullins is a former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American who was ranked 17th in ESPN’s most recent edition. nba draft big board. However, rather than enter the draft as a borderline lottery pick, he will look to boost his stock with a second season in stores.

The 6-foot-6 Mullins, who dominated the NCAA tournament with his 35-foot frame ruler And putting UConn in the Final Four, Dan will be a clear breakout candidate next season under Hurley. He averaged 12.0 points per game last season, making 33.5% of his 3-pointers, but his pace was slowed by an ankle injury that kept him out of the first six games of the season.

Mullins entered college with a reputation as one of the nation’s elite shooters, and although he was inconsistent from beyond the arc, he made at least five 3-pointers in a game on three occasions.

Hurley and the Huskies also moved a key player out of the portal Saturday with a Duke transfer. nicholas khameniya Announcing his commitment to UConn.

Khamenei, a former top-15 recruit, primarily came off the bench during his freshman season with the Blue Devils. But when he started he saw an increased role Caleb Foster And Patrick Ngongba II He was sidelined due to injuries and, in three ACC Tournament games, responded by averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds on 41.7% 3-point shooting.

The 6-8 Khamenei averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for the season.

Mullins and Khamenei are projected to start for a preseason top-five team aiming for its fourth Final Four appearance in five seasons. All-Big East guard Silas Demery Jr. Has announced his return while being a backcourt mate solo ball Can also go back to stores. Further, UConn added seton hall transfer Najai Hines to help change taris reed jr And Eric Riebe.