Evaluating the NCAA Freshman Class
by: Jonathan Givony - President, Scott Nadler, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting
December 24, 2008
We take an early look at four of the more highly touted members of the NCAA freshman class--DeMar DeRozan, B.J. Mullens, Willie Warren and Tyreke Evans--to see what we can learn from their performance about a third of the way through the college season. It's pretty obvious from the underwhelming early results that this class is nowhere near as talented and polished as last year's, which will significantly weaken this year's draft.
B.J. Mullens, 7-0, Freshman, Center, Ohio State
7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, .1 assists, 1.2 turnovers, 1.1 blocks, 55% FG, 61% FT, 17.4 minutes
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Jonathan Givony
Playing for Thad Matta is definitely not all fun and games, as freshman B.J. Mullens has learned over the last month and change. The 7-foot center has been on an extremely short leash thus far, which should make him a much better player over the long term. Coming off by far his best game of the season?a 19-point, 8 rebound, 3 block effort in an easy win over UNC-Asheville, this seems like as good a time as any to summarize Mullens? first taste of college basketball.
The minimal amount of high-level coaching Mullens received early in his basketball career has put him at a significant disadvantage early on as a college player. His questionable conditioning, poor fundamentals and lackluster effort have clearly drawn the ire of Coach Matta, and will have to improve significantly if he?s to see increased playing time as the season moves on. Mullens often looks very lazy getting back on defense, will rarely box out for rebounds, and seems very slow to pick up on the defensive concepts that are being asked of him by the coaching staff.
Right now, Mullens is just bigger, stronger, more athletic and far more talented than anyone else he?s faced. We?re still yet to see whether he can use advanced moves to score, put the ball on the floor, or find the open man out of the double team. On a different team, for example Kansas State, Mullens would probably be able to play 30+ minutes per game and be able to average 20 and 10 just off his pure talent. An impressively built 7-footer, Mullens runs the floor like a guard, has terrific hands and is a fantastic finisher around the basket thanks to his excellent athleticism. He is hungry to score and can cause some serious damage with his back to the basket, drawing fouls at a high rate, showing nice touch, good body control and impressive instincts putting the ball in the net.
Mullens is being asked to do a lot more than just that, though, which is why he?s only played 17 minutes per game through his first nine contests. Often the first one down the floor on offense, he?s typically the last one to get back on defense. The concept of a zone defense looks completely foreign to him, and it?s very typical to see him completely out of place (sometimes wildly chasing a steal), which causes his team?s entire defense to collapse. He looks very lost at times trying to do anything more than use his pure instincts, which is a bit of a concern when you consider how tactical the NBA is on both ends of the floor. The one assist he?s dished out through nine games, compared with 11 turnovers, tells the story quite well regarding his basketball IQ and understanding of the game at the moment.
Ohio State?s schedule will stiffen significantly over the next few weeks, which should tell us quite a bit more about Mullens? progress. So far he?s shown great flashes of potential, while waving some huge red flags about his fundamentals and mental outlook. Just a freshman, there is still plenty of time to improve, although it?s obvious that he could use at least one if not two more seasons at Ohio State before he decides to bolt for the NBA. From what we?re told, and mostly due to his family?s financial situation, this is absolutely going to be his lone season of college basketball, for better or worse.
