Recruiting Report: Machia Mullens (2020)

One of Kansas’ rising forwards in the 2020 class, Liberal’s Machia Mullens is coming off a big junior season and has drawn interest from a host of college programs. At 6’0, Mullens is a versatile player capable of posting up and scoring on the block, but can also knock down mid-range shots and 3-pointers. At the defensive end of the court she can block shots or roam at the top of a 1-3-1 press. She averaged 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game while helping Liberal to a 22-1 record and an appearance at the Kansas 6A state championships in Wichita under head coach Carter Kruger “We are such a closely bonded group that it shows when we play,” she says. “We made history this year and got lots of the community involved. Overall I feel like I had a great junior season. I feel I improved my game and my role as a leader for my team.” Mullens says the biggest area of focus in her game this offseason is improving her ball handling and outside shooting touch. “Playing out as a 3-4 during the summer has improved my game on the perimeter a lot but I definitely want to continue growing in that aspect of my game,” she said. Mullens says her dad has had the biggest impact on her basketball career to date, as have her coaches over the years. “My dad and coaches push me everyday to be a better basketball player,” Mullens said. “They put in tremendous hours of their time into my game whether it be taking me to tournaments, making up practice plans, or rebounding for me after practice. I know that I can count on them for anything. Also seeing how my successes effect them make working hard everyday worth it.” A fan of the WNBA and Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi, Mullens says she appreciates her all-around game. “She literally can do anything,” Mullens said. “Coach wants a drive, she'll give you a drive, coach wants a step back three, she'll give you a step back three. She has so many different aspects to her game that it makes it extremely hard to guard her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> “I think her versatility is a big factor that I try to take from her game. She can do so many great things that you never know what she's going to do.” Mullens began receiving letters from numerous Division I programs following her sophomore year and has been on four unofficial visits to UMKC, Wichita State University, Oral Roberts University, and Drake University, and also attended a Kansas game as a recruit and visited Denver University's campus as well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> She says sheI has been in contact with University of San Diego, University of Arkansas Little Rock, Denver University, Wichita State University, Oral Roberts and UMKC, but is currently uncommitted and continuing to keep her options open.