Byron Mullens

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Byron Mullens

| image = Byron Mullens Clippers.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Mullens with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013

| position = Power forward / center

| height_ft = 7

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 270

| league =

| team = Free agent

| number =

| nationality = American / British

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|14}}

| birth_place = Canal Winchester, Ohio, U.S.

| high_school = Canal Winchester
(Canal Winchester, Ohio)

| college = Ohio State (2008–2009)

| draft_year = 2009

| draft_round = 1

| draft_pick = 24

| draft_team = Dallas Mavericks

| career_start = 2009

| career_end =

| years1 = {{nbay|2009|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}}

| team1 = Oklahoma City Thunder

| years2 = 2009–2011

| team2 = Tulsa 66ers

| years4 = {{nbay|2011|start}}–{{nbay|2012|end}}

| team4 = Charlotte Bobcats

| years5 = {{nbay|2013|full=y}}

| team5 = Los Angeles Clippers

| years6 = {{nbay|2013|end}}

| team6 = Philadelphia 76ers

| years7 = 2014

| team7 = Shaanxi Wolves

| years8 = 2015–2016

| team8 = Sioux Falls Skyforce

| years9 = 2016

| team9 = Torku Konyaspor

| years10 = 2016–2017

| team10 = Al Wasl Dubai

| years11 = 2017–2018

| team11 = Sanat Naft Abadan

| years12 = 2018

| team12 = Guangxi Rhinos

| years13 = 2018

| team13 = Lakeland Magic

| years14 = 2018–2019

| team14 = Levanga Hokkaido

| years15 = 2019–2020

| team15 = Busan KT Sonicboom

| years16 = 2020

| team16 = Movistar Estudiantes

| years17 = 2020

| team17 = London Lions

| years18 = 2022–2024

| team18 = New Taipei Kings

| years19 = 2024

| team19 = Winnipeg Sea Bears

| years20 = 2024

| team20 = Taipei Taishin Mars

| years21 = 2024

| team21 = BCH Knights

| highlights =

First-team Parade All-American (2008)
McDonald's All-American (2008)

}}

Byron James "B. J." Mullens (born February 14, 1989)[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mulleby01.html Byron Mullens NBA & ABA Stats] is a British-American professional basketball player who last played for the BCH Knights of The League. Born in the United States, he holds British citizenship due to his English mother.[http://www.mvp247.com/2012/02/mullens-for-gb/ MULLENS TO JOIN GB'S OLYMPIC TILT] He was drafted 24th overall by the Dallas Mavericks and immediately traded to the Thunder in the 2009 NBA draft.

High school career

Mullens played competitively at Canal Winchester High School and was ranked as one of the top college recruits in the nation from the class of 2008. He was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 3 by Scout.com.[http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&pid=88&yr=2008 Scout.com Class of 2008 Basketball Rankings]

Mullens was offered and accepted a scholarship to Ohio State by the Buckeyes' head basketball coach, Thad Matta, in 2004, which was the summer between Mullens' 8th and 9th grade year.{{Cite web |url=http://hoopraker.com/2007/12/27/robbing-the-cradle/ |title=Accepting OSU Scholarship |access-date=September 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024230834/http://hoopraker.com/2007/12/27/robbing-the-cradle/ |archive-date=October 24, 2008 |url-status=usurped }}

In his senior year of high school, he averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds,{{Cite web |url=http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=43961&season=2008&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d43961%26season%3d2008 |title=Senior year Stats |access-date=September 2, 2008 |archive-date=April 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426065804/http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=43961&season=2008&action=login&appRedirect=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.espn.go.com%2Fncb%2Frecruiting%2Ftracker%2Fplayer%3FrecruitId%3D43961%26season%3D2008 |url-status=dead }} including 29 points and 18 rebounds in his final high school game.{{Cite web |url=http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?page=briefingroom&recruitId=43961&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3fpage%3dbriefingroom%26recruitId%3d43961 |title=More Stats |access-date=September 2, 2008 |archive-date=July 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703003026/http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?page=briefingroom&recruitId=43961&action=login&appRedirect=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.espn.go.com%2Fncb%2Frecruiting%2Ftracker%2Fplayer%3Fpage%3Dbriefingroom%26recruitId%3D43961 |url-status=dead }}

He was a member of the 2008 McDonald's All-American Team and he was a part of the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden, where he had 12 points.

College career

In November 2007, Mullens signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Ohio State University. Mullens averaged 8.8 points a game at a 64.2 shooting percentage during his freshman year with Ohio State.{{Cite web |url=http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/B.J.-Mullens-1107/stats/ |title=DraftExpress NBA Draft Prospect Profile: B.J. Mullens, Stats, Comparisons, and Outlook |access-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223102414/http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/B.J.-Mullens-1107/stats/ |archive-date=December 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }} Mullens was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and earned the Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year award.{{cite web | last =Lesmerises | first =Doug | title =Turner, Buford, Mullens honored | work =The Plain Dealer | date =March 10, 2009 | url =http://www.cleveland.com/osu/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1236673991178760.xml&coll=2 | access-date =March 16, 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090312034249/http://www.cleveland.com/osu/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1236673991178760.xml&coll=2 | archive-date =March 12, 2009 | url-status =dead }} Mullens only played one year for the Buckeyes before declaring eligibility for the NBA draft.

=College statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Season ! Team ! Games ! Minutes ! Points ! FG % ! Rebounds ! Blocks ! Fouls
2008–09 \| Ohio State Buckeyes \| 33 \| 20.3 \| 8.8 \| 64.2 \| 4.7 \| 1.1 \| 2.1

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

Season

! Team

! Games

! Minutes

! Points

! FG %

! Rebounds

! Blocks

! Fouls

2008–09

| Ohio State Buckeyes

| 33

| 20.3

| 8.8

| 64.2

| 4.7

| 1.1

| 2.1

Professional career

Coming out of Ohio State, Yahoo! Sports' Rivals 150 projected Mullens to be a clear first round pick in the draft, "Size, athleticism and skill are the big three that separate Mullens from the rest of this class."{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/rankings/rank-rivals150/2008 |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921111049/http://sports.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/rankings/rank-rivals150/2008 |url-status=dead }}

Mullens was drafted 24th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2009 NBA draft. His draft rights were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Rodrigue Beaubois, the 25th overall pick, and a future 2nd-round draft pick. In mid-2009, Mullens requested that all media personnel refer to him as "Byron" rather than by his prior nickname "B. J."{{cite web |url=https://www.twitter.com/okcthunder/status/2535586808 |title=B.J. Mullens is now referred to as Byron Mullens. We like it! |publisher=OKC Thunder official Twitter page |access-date=February 4, 2010}}

During the 2011 NBA lockout, Mullens signed with Panionios B.C.[http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/215491/Mullens_Signs_One_Year_Deal_With_Panionios Mullens Signs One-Year Deal With Panionios] However, he left the team after a month in Greece, saying that he wanted to join his Oklahoma City teammates for their voluntary practice sessions.[http://newsok.com/thunders-byron-mullens-leaves-greek-league-team/article/3611998?custom_click=pod_headline_nba-news Thunder's Byron Mullens leaves Greek League team]

On December 19, 2011, Mullens was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for a 2013 second-round draft pick.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_mullens_111219.html |title=Bobcats Acquire Byron Mullens from Thunder |work=NBA.com |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=December 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118093700/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_mullens_111219.html |archive-date=November 18, 2012 |url-status=dead }} In his first game as a Bobcat, Mullens set a new career high with 10 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 26, 2011.

Mullens had what appeared to be a breakthrough game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 6, 2012, when he scored 17 points on 8–13 from the floor (.615 FG%), collected five rebounds and had one blocked shot in 24 minutes off the bench.

He made his first career start on January 12, 2012, against the Atlanta Hawks. He played in a career-high 33 minutes, going 8–16 from the floor scoring 21 points and collecting 4 rebounds. On April 6, 2012, Mullens set new career highs by scoring 31 points (on 14–23 shooting) and grabbing 14 rebounds (9 offensive) in 43 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Entering the 2012–13 season, Mullens played as Charlotte's starting power forward. The acquisition of center Brendan Haywood was part of the decision to play Mullens primarily at power forward instead of center.

On July 22, 2013, Mullens signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.[http://www.nba.com/clippers/clippers-sign-center-byron-mullens CLIPPERS SIGN CENTER BYRON MULLENS]

On February 20, 2014, Mullens was traded, along with a 2018 second-round draft pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a top-55-protected 2014 second-round draft pick.{{cite web | url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/02/20/sam-hinkies-first-trade-deadline-with-the-sixers-was-a-busy-one/ | title=Sam Hinkie's First Trade Deadline With The Sixers Was A Busy One | work=CBSLocal.com | date=February 20, 2014 | access-date=February 20, 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nba.com/clippers/clippers-finalize-trades-hawks-and-76ers-0 | title=CLIPPERS FINALIZE TRADES WITH HAWKS AND 76ERS | work=NBA.com | date=February 20, 2014 | access-date=February 20, 2014}}

In July 2014, Mullens joined the Shaanxi Wolves of the Chinese National Basketball League where he played four games for the club. On August 11, 2014, he signed with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese Basketball Association[http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/131129/byron-mullens-officially-signs-with-shanxi-brave-dragons.html Byron Mullens officially signs with Shanxi Brave Dragons] but later left the club before appearing in a game for them.

On February 14, 2015, Mullens was acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League,[http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4927285 Skyforce Acquire Mullens and Re-Acquire Dawkins] and reacquired as a returning player on November 2.{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=5065971|title=Skyforce Announces 2015-16 Training Camp Roster|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=November 2, 2015|access-date=November 4, 2015}}

On March 1, 2016, Mullens signed a deal with Turkish club Torku Konyaspor until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite news|title=Byron Mullens signs with Konyaspor|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/turkey/192651/byron-mullens-signs-with-konyaspor.html|access-date=March 1, 2016|work=Sportando.com|date=March 1, 2016}} At the end of the 2015–16 season he left Konyaspor.

In October 2016, Mullens signed with Al Wasl Dubai of the UAE National Basketball League.{{cite news|title=Byron Mullens (ex Konyaspor) agreed terms with Al Wasl !!|url=http://www.asia-basket.com/United%20Arab%20Emirates/news/466788/Byron-Mullens-(ex-Konyaspor)-agreed-terms-with-Al-Wasl-!!|access-date=January 8, 2017|work=Eurobasket.com|date=October 22, 2016|archive-date=January 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109021331/http://www.asia-basket.com/United%20Arab%20Emirates/news/466788/Byron-Mullens-(ex-Konyaspor)-agreed-terms-with-Al-Wasl-!!|url-status=dead}}

In October 2017, Mullens signed with Sanat Naft Abadan of the Iranian Basketball Super League.[https://www.sportando.com/en/asia/iran/249524/byron-mullens-inks-with-naft-abadan.html Byron Mullens inks with Naft Abadan]

On February 22, 2018, the Sioux Falls Skyforce acquired a 2018 second round draft pick from Lakeland Magic for Mullens and Sioux Falls' 2018 fourth round draft pick.{{cite web|title=Welcome to Lakeland, Byron Mullens!|url=https://twitter.com/LakelandMagic/status/966808007173640192|access-date=February 22, 2018|work=Twitter.com|date=February 22, 2018}}

On December 23, 2018, Levanga Hokkaido announced that they had signed Mullens.{{cite news|last1=Cauchi|first1=Orazio|title=Byron Mullens inks with Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/byron-mullens-inks-with-levanga-hokkaido-sapporo/|website=Sportando|access-date=December 23, 2018|date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204141411/https://sportando.basketball/en/byron-mullens-inks-with-levanga-hokkaido-sapporo/|url-status=dead}}

He signed with KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League for the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/player/Byron_Mullens//KT_Sonicboom/132233|title=Byron Mullens Player Profile, London Lions, News, Stats - Asia-Basket}}

On March 2, 2020, he signed with Movistar Estudiantes of the Spanish Liga ACB.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/byron-mullens-e-un-giocatore-dellestudiantes-madrid-e-un-utente-attacca-2/|title=Byron Mullens is a newcomer of Movistar Estudiantes|date=March 2, 2020|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=March 2, 2020}}

On August 20, 2020, Mullens signed with the London Lions in Great Britain for the 2020–21 BBL season.{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2020|title=Byron Mullens Is London's 2nd NBA Star|url=https://www.thelondonlions.com/byron-mullens-is-londons-2nd-nba-star/|access-date=August 21, 2020|website=www.thelondonlions.com|language=en-UK}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On April 1, 2022, Mullens signed with the New Taipei Kings of the P. LEAGUE+.{{cite news |last1=Yen |first1=William |title=NBA veteran Byron Mullens joins P. LEAGUE+'s New Taipei Kings |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/202204010024 |access-date=April 1, 2022 |agency=Central News Agency |date=April 1, 2022}}

On May 8, 2024, Mullens signed with the Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.{{Cite web|date=May 8, 2024|title=Sea Bears sign former NBA first round draft pick, Byron Mullens|url=https://www.seabears.ca/sea-bears-sign-former-nba-first-round-draft-pick-mullens|access-date=July 4, 2024|website=www.seabears.ca}} Mullens would be granted his release from the team to "pursue opportunities in the Asian market" on June 28.{{Cite web|date=June 28, 2024|title=Sea Bears release centre Byron Mullens|url=https://www.seabears.ca/sea-bears-release-centre-byron-mullens|access-date=July 4, 2024|website=www.seabears.ca}}

On August 30, 2024, Mullens signed with the Taipei Taishin Mars of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL).{{cite news |title=牧倫斯回歸台籃當戰神！今年球場暴走已深刻反省 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2807502 |accessdate=August 30, 2024 |work=ETtoday |date=August 30, 2024 }} On November 5, his contract was terminated.{{cite news |title=戰神4連敗後Thank You牧倫斯解約原因曝已鎖定新洋將 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2848812 |accessdate=November 5, 2024 |work=ETtoday |date=November 5, 2024 }}

In November 2024, Mullens joined the BCH Knights of The League.{{cite web |title=Тойм: Шигшээ багийн цугларалтаар лигийн багуудад ямар өөрчлөлт орсон бэ? |url=https://www.msports.mn/posts/4c8af4f9-f26a-4772-ac22-23383bace1da |website=Msports - Нүүр |access-date=December 13, 2024 |date=November 25, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Knights tab Byron Mullens |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Mongolia/news/906673/Knights-tab-Byron-Mullens |website=Eurobasket.com |access-date=December 13, 2024 |date=December 12, 2024}}

NBA career statistics

= Regular season =

| align="left" | {{nbay|2009}}

| align="left" | Oklahoma City

| 13 || 0 || 4.2 || .368 || .000 || .000 || .8 || .1 || .2 || .0 || 1.1

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Oklahoma City

| 13 || 0 || 6.5 || .321 || .000 || .500 || 1.8 || .0 || .2 || .2 || 1.9

| align="left" | {{nbay|2011}}

| align="left" | Charlotte

| 65 || 25 || 22.5 || .425 || .235 || .821 || 5.0 || .9 || .3 || .8 || 9.3

| align="left" | {{nbay|2012}}

| align="left" | Charlotte

| 53 || 41 || 26.9 || .385 || .317 || .646 || 6.4 || 1.5 || .6 || .6 || 10.6

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | L.A. Clippers

| 27 || 0 || 6.2 || .406 || .333 || .333 || 1.2 || .2 || .2 || .1 || 2.5

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | Philadelphia

| 18 || 0 || 13.7 || .465 || .400 || .571 || 3.3 || .4 || .5 || .4 || 6.8

| align="left" | Career

| align="left" |

| 189 || 66 || 18.2 || .408 || .319 || .706 || 4.2 || .8 || .4 || .5 || 7.4

= Playoffs =

| align="left" | 2010

| align="left" | Oklahoma City

| 1 || 0 || 4.0 || .000 || .000 || .500 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0

International career

Mullens was included in the preliminary Great Britain squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He left the team in June 2012 due to a toe injury.Brendan Gallagher. "[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/basketball/9347408/London-2012-Olympics-Byron-Mullens-pulls-out-but-Team-GB-basketball-squad-are-hopeful-Ben-Gordon-will-play.html London 2012 Olympics: Byron Mullens pulls out but Team GB basketball squad are hopeful Ben Gordon will play]". The Telegraph. June 21, 2012. Retrieved on June 24, 2012.

References

External links

{{basketball stats |nba=201957 |bbr=m/mulleby01}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923053203/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6046861/playerview.html FIBA.com profile]

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century British sportsmen

Category:Al Wasl SC men's basketball players

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada

Category:American expatriate basketball people in China

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Iran

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Japan

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mongolia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in South Korea

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Spain