C Byron 'B.J.' Mullens (Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo - Japan)

[gbearbuck]

for a frosh that is big... in real life that is a stick... I'm fat and 6-0 265, I can only imagine losing 45 pounds and growing ten inches...

When this kid fills out he will be a beast!!

 

[jimotis4heisman]

http://www.dispatch.com/prep/preps.php?story=dispatch/2005/02/04/20050204-F9-01.html

BOYS BASKETBALL | NOTEBOOK
At Harvest Prep, players win by using their heads
Warriors await Fisher Catholic in rematch
Friday, February 04, 2005
Steve Blackledge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH





The cerebral motto of the Harvest Prep boys basketball team is "Raise The Bar On Instruction."

With three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior comprising his starting lineup, the top priority for first-year coach David Mobley is that the Warriors play smart.

"I tell the kids all the time that they have the makings of great players," Mobley said, "but they have to realize that basketball is about out-thinking your opponents and making the people around you better.

"Ultimately, we’d obviously like more guys to stand out and score more points, but instituting our system, focusing on structure and discipline, setting a framework of rules to follow and trying to form a team chemistry are things we’re placing a lot of emphasis on. Hopefully, we’ll win some games along the way."

With a 13-2 record (10-1 in the Mid-State League Cardinal Division), Harvest Prep is assured of its first winning season since opening in 1998-99 on the Far East Side.

The Warriors, who average 63.9 points and allow 44.4, will play host to Fisher Catholic (13-3, 11-0) on Saturday. Fisher beat Harvest Prep 57-54 on Dec. 21.

"The kids really took that first loss to Fisher bad, and they feel like they’ve got something to prove," said Mobley, an eighth-grade assistant last season. "This is probably the biggest sporting event our school has ever hosted."

Even though Mike Davis (10.9 points per game) transferred to Franklin Heights, Harvest Prep remains deep and balanced. Six-foot-10 freshman center B.J. Mullens (10.5), who has orally committed to Ohio State, is the leading scorer, followed by freshman guard Remon Nelson (9.7) and freshman forward Rob Matthews (9.6). Ten players have scored in double figures at least once. "The success we’ve had is not only surprising but a little overwhelming," Mobley said. "Everyone at school is really excited, and I have to keep reminding the kids to stay on an even keel."

 

[Misanthrope]

Unless he is a Wookie, at 6-10, 220 lbs, I think it is safe to say that he has hit puberty.

Yeah, and besides, Chewie couldn't stroke the "J"!

 

[flybuckeye]

Last night B.J. had 17 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks.

 

[jwinslow]

He not only has the imposing frame to take everyone's lunch money, but he's a classy enough guy to say thank you afterwards, per his classmates.

You gotta love the fact that if he spends at least one year at tOSU, he could be playing alongside as many as 2-4 other top-25 players. That's unbelievable.

In terms of him hitting puberty or not, if 6'0 220 is what he looks like before puberty then I really got gipped :)

 

[Misanthrope]

Considering he's a 14 year old kid, I'm going to temper my enthusiasm until...say...2009.

If/when he signs his LOI, I'll get excited.

 

[BuckeyeBlitz04]

6-10, 220 lbs at 14 years of age...

What are they putting in the water? I have two brother-in-laws that are 16 and 17, they are both 6-5 250 lbs and still growing fast. Their dad is like 6-6 350 lbs. I am not going to tick off my father-in-law any time soon!

 

[RAMdrvr1]

Oh8ch,
Just because the "trend is stronger" does not make it any more correct or acceptable. a 14yr old is a 14yr old, no matter how tall he is or how talented he might be.

You might want to look around. A whole lot of 14 yr. olds are only 14 years old in age. This coming from someone who has coached youth baseball and football for over 24 yrs. now. I think that there is something in the water.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

here is bjs tournament draw

http://www.dispatch.com/prep/preps.php?story=dispatch/2005/02/14/20050214-D4-02.html

 

[Misanthrope]

Last night B.J. had 17 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocks.

If he's doing that as a freshman, what are the odds he isn't going to go pro after high school?

Like I said, check with me on signing day 2009. If he's got his LOI in hand, then I'll get excited.

 

[ashlandbuck]

If he's 6-10 as a Frosh, I imagine he'll grow to be well over 7 feet tall.
If he's talented at all he'll never see a college classroom.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

this may be true. but the reason he said he wanted to be a buckeye was a promise to his dad on his dads deathbed. being a part of theOSU must really mean something to him and his family.

 

[SouthHighStreet]

Great, my old high school (Wellington) gets a chance to face him if they beat Centerburg tonight.

 

[smitty03]

Mullens pulled the trigger as soon as he was offered. He wants to keep his promise of playing for tOSU he made to his dad before he died. I would say this kid will be coming to tOSU and will be part of a college classroom for at least a year. Sometimes life is worth more then money. Sounds like a great kid who will hold onto his promise and put the NBA money on the backburner.

 

[Misanthrope]

I hope he's another Tim Duncan - tall, talented, smart and stays all four years. That would be great, but kids like that are few and far between. Time will tell...