Dan Hurley admits star player makes more at UConn compared to the NBA next season

Dan Hurley wasn't ready for the college basketball season to end. The UConn Huskies coach made one of his first media appearances after losing to the Michigan Wolverines 69-63 in the National Championship Game.

During an interview with The Dan Patrick Show, Hurley explained the process and the emotional impact on him and his team.

"The teams that play in the Final Four and National Championship Game it hits you like an avalanche," Hurley said. Because we literally, you're your season really just ended, you know, just like literally two days ago, and now you've got to make all these decisions. You've got to help your players make monumental decisions."

With the NIL era, Hurley knows how difficult the structure can be for players who want to chase a better opportunity or more money. However, the longtime coach says some need to exercise caution.

"I would just say that now in college, I would say that unless it absolutely makes total sense for you to go into the draft, unless you know you're going to be a lottery pick or guaranteed to go top 15 or top 18, the biggest mistake that you can make right now is a college basketball player is going to the draft too early and not staying long enough in college. Because of obviously the money situation," Hurley added.

One of those UConn players weighing a big money decision is Braylon Mullins. The Elite Eight hero is projected as a late first-rounder in the 2026 NBA Draft and could leave school. Hurley's advice is simple: What makes the most sense?

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"I think that the world has changed, there's not this pressure to go to the NBA now because of the money situation," Hurley said. "Players like Braylon are probably going to make more money at UConn next year than you would if he was the 15th pick. Those are the things that you have to weigh. How badly do I want to get out of college and get to the NBA?"

Despite losing in the title game this year, Hurley has won two championships in four years, a feat unmatched among other coaches. UConn will assess the roster for next season, and we'll see if Mullins will return or not.

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