How is Braylon Mullins preparing for a breakout sophomore season at UConn? ‘Need to get better’

STORRS – Braylon Mullins chuckled when he was asked how his life has changed since he made the last-second game-winning shot to complete the comeback against Duke and send UConn back to the Final Four a month ago.

For his parents, Josh and Katie, the moment led to a wild swarm of media requests while their “humble Indiana boy,” as Dan Hurley called him early into his freshman season, turned into one of the most famous players in the sport overnight. For Braylon, one of the most consequential shots in March Madness history opened doors in this new age of NIL compensation and endorsement deals, which had an equalizing factor in his decision between going off to the NBA as a likely first-round pick or spending another year in college.

“I mean, you still hear people (talking about the shot),” he said in the Huskies’ practice facility on Tuesday. “(Monday) there was a bunch of mail that came in, it was just a bunch of letters (from) all across the states. Just people admiring that. And it’s just crazy how everybody has seen that.”

The thrilling conclusion of the game peaked with 18.9 million viewers on CBS. For many, it was the first introduction to Mullins, who had flown relatively under the radar in a freshman class that was one of the most talented college basketball has seen in a while.

‘A real chance to run it back’: Why UConn’s Silas Demary decided to return for senior year

A McDonald’s High School All-American and a consensus top-20 recruit, Mullins has long been known for the quick and clean 3-point shooting stroke that he developed in Greenfield, Indiana, just about a half hour away from Lucas Oil Stadium, where he continued to shine during the Final Four.

But there is a lot more to his game that wasn’t on display so much, as he navigated his first year in Hurley’s complex offensive system. He plans on showing more of what he has to offer next season.

“I thought it was just the best decision to come back and run it back for year two and just develop more, and make it an easier thought process next year,” he said, anticipating a sophomore campaign that could increase his draft stock and potentially solidify him as a lottery pick. His projection was pretty close to that already, even with a frame at 6 feet 6, 190 pounds, that has his dad still calling him a “baby.”

“Just getting stronger day by day, I think that’s just the first step for me,” he said, with a goal of beginning the season between 205 and 210 pounds. “Just get in the gym every day, stay consistent and just work on all the things that weren’t consistent this year. Finishing at the rim and just making plays for everybody, those three things and being able to find myself better in the offense.”

Mullins hopes to improve as a vocal leader as well, being one of three returning rotation players on the roster. He was one of the quieter and more reserved pieces on last year’s team.