Mullins Is Showing What His Circle Already Knew

Mullins Brings Indiana With Him to the Final Four

When Connecticut tips off in the Final Four on Saturday, they won’t just have their fan base behind them.

They’ll have Indiana, too.

Less than an hour from Lucas Oil Stadium, where the national spotlight now lives, Braylon Mullins built his name at Greenfield-Central. Now, as a freshman at UConn, he’s bringing that story full circle—back to familiar ground, but on a much bigger stage.

Fresh off a steal and game-winning shot in the closing seconds against Duke, Mullins has quickly become one of the tournament’s breakout names. For many, it’s a moment. For those who’ve seen him up close, it’s simply the next step.

His former high school coach, Luke Meredith, isn’t surprised.

“I am not surprised whatsoever. Braylon has always had that ‘it’ factor. Everyone else around the nation is just seeing what we saw firsthand for four years,” Meredith told Indiana Preps.

Mullins’ numbers—12 points and 3.5 rebounds per game—only tell part of the story. It’s his timing, feel, and ability to deliver in critical moments that stand out.

That was never clearer than in the final seconds against Duke.

“The steal, pass and in rhythm three with the game on the line to send his team back to his hometown city? Storybook and real life Jimmy Chitwood out of a movie,” Meredith said. “He’s always big play Bray.”

At Greenfield-Central, Mullins spent four years building toward moments like this, helping elevate the program while developing into a player capable of impacting games at the highest level. Now, he’s on the doorstep of a national championship—still early in his college career, but already comfortable in the spotlight.

For Meredith and the Greenfield community, the moment carries more weight than wins and losses.

“It means a lot to the people of Greenfield. Just a kid from Greenfield takes on a whole new meaning,” Meredith said. “Other kids in the community see Braylon—a kid who grew up off 5th Street—achieving these goals on a national level. It shows anything is possible.”

That visibility matters. Not just for Mullins, but for the next wave coming behind him.

“I have two boys of my own who are now at GCJH… they are following him and grew up trying to emulate his success on the court. Just a kid from Greenfield to NBA prospect. Surreal.”

Even now, as Mullins prepares for the biggest game of his life, the message from his former coach hasn’t changed.