The month of June was a busy month of basketball for Arizona prospects, as numerous exposure events took place around the Phoenix area - providing valuable exposure to college coaches for many Arizona prospects that had flown well below the recruiting radar. As a result of the growing COVID-19 pandemic, many of Arizona's top unsigned senior performers looked for opportunities to gain exposure to scouts and media, in an attempt to land a college opportunity.
One of the top surprise prospects from June's exposure events was Greenway High School's athletic 6-foot-6 senior forward Thomas Mullings. As a result of his performance in a couple different exposure events, Mullings, an almost unknown member of the 2020 Class, made a strong case for himself to be given a college opportunity.
Mullings first competed in the Fullcourt Press Diamond in the Rough JC/Senior Showcase, and was among the top surprise performers in the one-day showcase event. He then went on the compete at a high level against stiff, but younger competition in the Pangos Best of Arizona League. As a result of his performance in both events, Mullings raised his stock with college coaches and earned several scholarship offers for himself - a nice story for an unheralded Arizona prospect looking for an opportunity to play college basketball.
After looking over his options for college and taking visits and hosting in-home visits with college coaches, Mullings has decided to attend Chandler-Gilbert Junior College, where he will now play for long-time successful and hard-working Head Coach Steve Silsby.
Mullings is one prospect that I will be keeping a close eye on for the future in the ACCAC, as he is a live, athletic body with a high motor and defensive intensity. He plays much bigger than his size suggests, as he is very active and competes at a high level with a motor that does not stop. These are very key attributes for a college prospect over time, and now he just needs to continue to work hard on his overall fundamental skillset to become a complete player over time. Still raw offensively, Mullings is a strong finisher now that goes hard to the rim and plays with reckless abandon on the court. He needs to improve his shooting consistency and range, low post moves and footwork and ball handling to reach his maximum potential as a player. What he does have though can help any team, as he plays hard, runs the floor like a guard and has a great attitude on and off the floor. He is an active and strong rebounder and shot-blocker. All attributes that, over time, will make him into a serious college prospect after Chandler-Gilbert.
Look for Mullings to play early and often as a freshman at Chandler-Gilbert, as he looks to develop into a four-year college prospect in the ACCAC.
