Prospect Spotlight: Chase Mullenix (2019)
Few guys anywhere are as busy and dedicated to their sport than Atlantic’s Chase Mullenix is.
But it’s not basketball that comes first for the 6-foot guard, who is off to a blistering start this season with the Trojans. Instead, it’s track and field that’s his forte. He’s currently signed to run at Iowa State.
Right now, Mullenix is flashing his prowess on the hardwood, though, and running circles around his opponents while averaging 23.6 points and 8.2 rebounds through five games.
“I’ve always had the 3-ball, and throughout the summers I’ve continued to establish my great jumper. And my strongest asset this year is probably getting to the hoop off my quickness,” said Mullenix.
“We’re off to a good start, we’ve had some good wins over the season, and a couple losses where things just didn’t go our way. But this year I just want to be a vocal leader out on the floor, and communicate when we’re on D.”
Since Mullenix has been at Atlantic, there’s always been someone else leading the way for the Trojans. As a freshman, he averaged 3.8 for a Ryan Hawkins-led group. As a sophomore, Mullenix averaged 7.2 points on a Garrett Franken-led unit. Last season, he averaged 11.2 points and a Scott Leonard and Austin Alexander-led team.
This season, it’s Mullenix’s team.
“Being able to change my role each season for the team, I think is good. Each year we graduate different players and each year someone has to step up,” said Mullenix.
“Last year, we lost a big senior class so people have been underestimating us. Hopefully, we can just keep trying to put together complete games and keep getting better with each game.”
It’s the track season that the Iowa State recruit is gearing up for, though. Mullenix is dual-sporing with wrestling right now. His days are chock-full with workouts and conditioning, first, wrestling in the morning, then basketball after school.
“Between the two sports I’m getting plenty of conditioning in, so come track time, I’ll be well-conditioned and I won’t have to do extra running just to get into shape for track,” said Mullenix.
“After this year, I’ll probably be done with basketball, and just focus on the track.”