Butler Basketball: Previewing John-Michael Mulloy’s impact for 2019-20

On the offensive end…

John-Michael Mulloy is a very intriguing and versatile offensive talent. Although he definitely needs to add some muscle before emerging as a legitimate post threat at the collegiate level, he boasts a variety of moves around the basket. Mulloy exhibits above-average footwork across the board and this allows him to consistently create quality looks inside. He is also an excellent passer out of the paint and that is a skill that is bound to translate to the next level.

Perhaps Mulloy’s most intriguing skills, though, are his ball-handling and vision. Even though Mulloy is a center, he can initiate offensive sets at the top of the key. He is a great ball-handler for his size and draws defenders out to the 3-point line because of his shooting ability. Mulloy is not a knockdown perimeter option but is someone that defenses need to respect. As a result, he can take his defender off the dribble and either finish at the rim or create for others. He can also push the pace after rebounds with his ability to lead the fastbreak by himself.

Mulloy is not a prototypical big man and fans will fall in love with his playing style. He is a great fit for the modern game with his mobility, attacking ability, and playmaking.

Even though there are plenty of intriguing parts of Mulloy’s offensive game, he is still inconsistent as a scorer. He can be a solid threat at all three levels but needs to improve his efficiency. Additionally, he must add weight in order to operate in the paint at the Big East level. Mulloy’s lack of strength is perhaps the main reason why many believe he will redshirt this season.