McMullen Struggles, but Stock Still High

The last thing Mitch McMullen expected after San Diego State’s 83-76 loss to New Mexico Saturday was a piece of good news.

Beyond the fact that the struggling Aztec basketball team had run its losing streak to four games, McMullen was hurting both physically and mentally. His injured left Achilles tendon pained him more than ever, and he was still in a drought that has covered five games.

True, the 6-foot 10-inch center scored 20 points in the rare matinee at the San Diego Sports Arena, but only because of 10 free throws. He made only 5 for 14 shots from the floor, including 2 for 9 in the first half, and showed little of the aggressiveness that marked superb earlier performances against Tennessee and North Carolina.

But as McMullen finished dressing, a locker-room visitor relayed some complimentary comments from two National Basketball Assn. scouts who had seen the game.

This from Dick McGuire, chief scout of the New York Knicks: “He’s a high second-round draft choice right now. He has a good body, and he works hard. He has a chance to make it.”

And from Marty Blake, director of the NBA’s scouting service: “He’s one of the top three (senior) centers we rate, along with Stacey King of Oklahoma and Gary Leonard of Missouri. He’s strong, he has a pro body, and he has a good little hook shot. He’ll be invited to our prospect camps and all the postseason all-star games.”

When McMullen heard these words, he broke into a broad smile.

“Wow, that’s terrific,” he said. “You’ve made my whole day. That makes me feel like I’ll finally enjoy the fruits of my labor. It’s really encouraging, and it all comes as a surprise.

“I’m not looking any further right now than this season, but it’s an honor just to be considered for anything like that.”

McMullen, a 250-pound senior from Hart High School in Newhall, is averaging 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in San Diego State’s 16 games. Before he hit his current dry spell, he was averaging 17.5 and 9.2 . He fell to a season low of two points against Utah a week ago.

“I’ve definitely been in a slump,” he said. “I’ve lacked some of my work ethic in practice, and that made a big difference in my play. Now I’ve got it back. It’s just something that happened.”

No sooner was that problem solved than McMullen encountered a more serious one, the injury he suffered in practice early last week. It was obvious Saturday that he was playing under a handicap.

“He’s only about 60% or 70% sound at this point,” Coach Jim Brandenburg said. “I thought he did OK today, but there were some defensive plays that he couldn’t make, and when he went for loose balls or rebounds, he just couldn’t get to them. It has even thrown his shooting off.”

McMullen explained his injury situation this way:

“It shouldn’t slow me down. I should be mentally tough and work right through it. But to be honest about it, I can’t do some of the things I did against Tennessee and North Carolina. It hurts when I jump, and when I push off to shoot.”

There were many occasions Saturday when McMullen shied away from opportunities to go to the basket because he lacked the confidence to do so under the circumstances. Once, he took a hook shot from under the basket--and missed--when he normally would have dunked the ball.

“There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “That should have been an easy two. I’ve always thought of myself as a physical player, but not so much right now.”

Still, McMullen had the kind remarks of the NBA scouts to console him.

Blake said, “I saw him on tape against North Carolina (29 points and 12 rebounds), so I know what he can do. If you work with a guy 2 or 3 years, he might be a player. Look at Mark Eaton (Utah Jazz center). He played about 80 minutes in 2 years at UCLA. The trouble today is we’re caught up in the IGS--the Immediate Gratification Syndrome. We expect everybody to be a star overnight.

“Give this kid time. He’s a definite pro prospect.”