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

[LitlBuck]

I can tell that he has a nice stroke by the way he shoots his free throws but I don't know if I want to see him doing any pick n pops with Turner this season. Maybe at the next level he will develop that ability. It's almost like when he gets the ball away from the basket and has a clear look he almost gets too excited and shoots an airball like he did against Minnesota this past weekend.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

Yeah he does have a nice looking shot, but he has no confidence in it. Otherwise he would take a lot more of those shots. He's 7-foot, if he had any confidence in that shot he could stand out there all day an hit it because nobody's going to come that far away from the basket to guard him. I don't think anybody's denying that he doesn't have a chance to be very good one day and I certainly won't say one bad thing about him if he does decide to leave, especially if he can be a lottery pick. I really think it would serve him very well to go through at least one more year of college basketball because he really isn't anywhere near being able to contribute to an NBA team right now offensively or defensively.

deviating from the offense, standing around with your thumb up your you know what waiting for the ball to be kicked out for you while gumming up the offense is probably one of the fastest ways to find time to pick splinters...

 

[Buckeye Nut]

deviating from the offense, standing around with your thumb up your you know what waiting for the ball to be kicked out for you while gumming up the offense is probably one of the fastest ways to find time to pick splinters...

Never said that's all he should do, but thank you for putting words in my mouth. If he learned to hit that shot consistently it's a huge weapon. You'd like to have an variety of things a guy can do, right now he doesn't have any go to move. Not sure how much NBA you watch, but take the time to watch Big Z for the Cavs sometime, that's what I'd like to see from Mullens. Z kills teams with his outside shot and he can get that shot whenever he wants. Of course Z also has post moves, so maybe Mullens should work on being able to beat his man on the low block first before worrying about developing that outside shot.

 

[Colvinnl]

Never said that's all he should do, but thank you for putting words in my mouth. If he learned to hit that shot consistently it's a huge weapon. You'd like to have an variety of things a guy can do, right now he doesn't have any go to move. Not sure how much NBA you watch, but take the time to watch Big Z for the Cavs sometime, that's what I'd like to see from Mullens. Z kills teams with his outside shot and he can get that shot whenever he wants. Of course Z also has post moves, so maybe Mullens should work on being able to beat his man on the low block first before worrying about developing that outside shot.

Agree. I think everyone can see BJ's huge potential but what exactly has he done this year that impresses us? He is 7' and athletic---that is evident by some impressive jams and follow-ups---but after that he has not really impressed in other aspects of his game. It seems he is still a little apprehensive about using his physical talent.

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

Agree. I think everyone can see BJ's huge potential but what exactly has he done this year that impresses us? He is 7' and athletic---that is evident by some impressive jams and follow-ups---but after that he has not really impressed in other aspects of his game. It seems he is still a little apprehensive about using his physical talent.

Like KK. I hope he stays one more year to reach a higher level of physicality.

Well, mostly for my selfish gain, but he'd be better off staying anyway.

 

[LitlBuck]

Agree. I think everyone can see BJ's huge potential but what exactly has he done this year that impresses us? He is 7' and athletic---that is evident by some impressive jams and follow-ups---but after that he has not really impressed in other aspects of his game. It seems he is still a little apprehensive about using his physical talent.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you but because of his athletic ability and being 7' he in all likelihood will be one and done:(

 

[Buckskin86]

NBA might beckon for young Buckeyes
Friday, February 13, 2009
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The NBA draft is the black cloud shadowing the Ohio State men's basketball team's rise in the Big Ten standings. It is the elephant in the room that fans would rather not acknowledge.

As the Buckeyes' stock has risen in recent weeks, so has that of sophomore Evan Turner and freshman William Buford with NBA talent scouts. And 7-foot freshman B.J. Mullens' stock isn't dropping far no matter how he plays the rest of the season.

For the second time in three years, three Ohio State underclassmen are on the NBA's radar. Each said yesterday that he isn't thinking that far ahead -- only to the next game Saturday at Wisconsin. But neither did any say that, after the season, he wouldn't consider leaving for the NBA if he thinks he will be drafted.

"I'll sit down and talk to my family and pray to God," Mullens said.

Underclassmen have until April 26 to enter the draft and, if they do, until June 15 to withdraw from it.

Two years ago, freshmen Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook were drafted in the first round.

Mullens' natural talent has made him, as Oden was, a potential No. 1 pick since he was in high school. His trials as a freshman have knocked him down some pegs on the draft board. But he still ranks among the top 14 picks that comprise the draft lottery, according to two online mock drafts.

"While everyone agrees that Mullens needs another season at Ohio State," Chad Ford of ESPN.com wrote, "someone will take a chance on him in the lottery if he declares."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : NBA might beckon for young Buckeyes

 

[DZ83CK]

How many guys do the analysts say "someone will take a chance on him" about that end up slipping well past where they were projected? Chad Ford has probably heard from GMs that they'll pick BJ that high, but it's different when you can just express an opinion to a reporter versus actually putting your money where your mouth is.

Last year, DeAndre Jordan was rated the #21 prospect by Ford, but he "slipped" out of the first round and became like the 5th pick in the second round ... looks like nobody wanted to take that late first-round chance on Jordan like Ford expected. That is, nobody took that chance on Jordan that Ford seemed to expect someone to take, at least not in the first round when it really matters. Hopefully Mullens doesn't put much stock in Ford's rankings because some people don't always put their money where their mouth is.

 

[Colvinnl]

Well I guess he at least tried to make something happen around the basket this game...didn't turn out so well though.

 

[Buckeye Nut]

Well I guess he at least tried to make something happen around the basket this game...didn't turn out so well though.

I can only remember him getting the ball on the block twice and both times he tried to put it on the floor and got it stolen. He needs to at least find one post move he's good at and use that until he can develop more because right now everytime he gets the ball down low with his back to the basket he looks like he has no idea what to do.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

I can only remember him getting the ball on the block twice and both times he tried to put it on the floor and got it stolen. He needs to at least find one post move he's good at and use that until he can develop more because right now everytime he gets the ball down low with his back to the basket he looks like he has no idea what to do.

During the game yesterday, Dickie V said that it's obvious that BJ needs to stay at OSU for another year. I'm not a fan of Vitale, but I think he's right here. BJ needs to develop some better moves down low and IMHO needs to get tougher with the ball in his hands. No one should take the rebound from him down low. I, for one, would love to see him stay another year and really become dominant in the post.

 

[Colvinnl]

I can only remember him getting the ball on the block twice and both times he tried to put it on the floor and got it stolen. He needs to at least find one post move he's good at and use that until he can develop more because right now everytime he gets the ball down low with his back to the basket he looks like he has no idea what to do.

He had 5 turnovers in all...I cannot quite remember how many were in the block. I am glad he at least tried some post moves but right not it appears he does not have a well-rounded game (Oden, by contrast showed a few more dimensions)---he is simply not able to dominate (YET!).

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Mullens the next talented Buckeyes big man



By Nate Mink
Collegian Staff Writer

Every once in a while, Ohio State coach Thad Matta can't help but think what his starting five could've looked like these days -- NBA players Mike Conley, Daequan Cook, Kosta Koufos and Greg Oden mixed with current Buckeye Evan Turner.
If Koufos or Oden got in foul trouble, Matta could always scale his bench and point to B.J. Mullens, another 7-foot post player with NBA potential.
As a freshman, Mullens is slotted as the No. 10 overall pick in a 2009 mock draft according to nbadraft.net.
"I want kids to come here for the right reasons," Matta said on Monday's teleconference. "Obviously getting to the NBA is something every kid aspires to do. What I don't want is to be known as just an NBA factory."
For the third straight year, Matta has lured a 7-foot interior player to Columbus. Koufos and Mullens both went to high school in Ohio, and Oden came east after a short trip from Indianapolis.
"First and foremost, we're bringing them to a special place," Matta said. "Ohio State is the most powerful university in the country."
Mullens came to Columbus as a McDonald's All-American but only averages about nine points and five rebounds in about 21 minutes a game.
Matta is looking for the freshman center to be more consistent so the coaches know exactly what they can expect him on any given night.
Lions' coach Ed DeChellis said Mullens differs from the previous two Buckeye bigs with his ability to run the floor.
Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

B.J. Mullens, 7-foot freshman center, Ohio State: "Potential, potential, potential. I don't know why Thad Matta is not starting him. I'm sure somebody else would have given him a scholarship and let him play 34 minutes a game. If you don't want a guy to be one and done, then don't recruit him. He's a no brainer, probably a top five or six pick. He'll come in and get his butt kicked for a couple of years, but he's really skilled. He doesn't rebound well for someone his size, but he's a good bet long-term."

Blake Griffin and Greg Monroe top NBA scouts' lists - Seth Davis - SI.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Off the streets
Early on, B.J. Mullens' career trajectory showed no indication the kid from a difficult upbringing could ever realize an NBA dream
Sunday, March 8, 2009
By Story by Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Chris Russell | Dispatch
An old backboard on the garage is about all that remains of an abandoned home on the West Side's Cypress Avenue where Mullens once lived.

Paul Vernon | Associated Press
B.J. Mullens is averaging 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman at Ohio State.

Mullens grew up a huge Ohio State fan just a few miles from campus.

But for most of his childhood, he didn't dream of playing of playing basketball for the Buckeyes, let alone in the NBA. Dreams weren't really a part of his life. Dreams were a luxury. Dreams, really, were for other people.

Mullens was more concerned about survival.

The casual fan might look with envy at this 7-footer blessed with remarkable ability. Mullens has the size and skill that will make him an instant millionaire when he chooses to enter pro basketball. Whether Ohio State's regular-season finale today against Northwestern will be Mullens' last game in Value City Arena is a question he prefers to put out of his mind for now.

To be sure, Mullens has displayed only glimpses of his vast potential in his freshman season. He averages 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds, statistics that have some fans questioning whether he has lived up to his billing as one of the nation's top recruits.

But Mullens can be considered a disappointment only by those who don't know his story beyond basketball.

Away from the court, only a hardened cynic would view Mullens' life as anything but a triumph against steep odds.

Always on the move
Rotting wood is all that's left of the basketball backboard behind the dilapidated, abandoned house on Cypress Avenue. It is here in a rough section of Columbus' West Side where Byron James Mullens got his introduction to basketball at about age 8. It was not success at first attempt.

"My dad passed me a bounce pass and it smacked me in the face," Mullens said.

That was enough for him to shun the sport for the next several years. "Till I was about 13," he said. "It knocked me out."

Life smacked him around as well on a daily basis.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Off the streets