Getting to know Byron Mullens
With the Olympics very nearly upon us and interest in the sport of basketball on the increase thanks to the July visit at the MEN Arena of Team USA, GB fans received an added boost thanks to another NBA player making himself available for selection for the Olympic roster.
Charlotte Bobcats centre, Byron James Mullens (B.J for short), declared himself eligible to play for Team GB at this years London Olympics having recently revealed his mother’s Middlesex roots.
It was a surprise move by the 7’0 Mullens but one that GB coach, Chris Finch, will welcome not least because it boosts the number of present NBAers challenging for places in Finch’s squad to three. Mullens will join high profile forward Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls) and Ben Gordon (Detroit Pistons) as well as travelled former NBA big currently with Turkish outfit Besiktas Milangaz, Pops Mensah-Bonsu in camp.
To get the lowdown on GB’s latest recruit, I turned to the very talented Ben Swanson of Charlotte Bobcat blog, Rufus on Fire:
“On offense, he’s a weapon. He’s dangerous in a pick and roll situation where he can hit the jump shot or roll to the basket. He’s an excellent shooter from range in rhythm off passes in pick and pop situations too. He has fine hands around the rim, easily finishing alley-oops and lay-ups.”
Swanson aka @cardboardgerald did advise not to expect too much out of Mullens right away as the 23 years old is still learning the game on both ends of the floor having only been drafted in 2009 by the Dallas Mavericks.
Having Mullens on board is a bonus and for Team GB, the future is brighter than ever.
