After Showing Off for SuperSonics, McMullen Will Visit Nuggets Next

After being bypassed in last month’s National Basketball Assn. draft, former San Diego State center Mitch McMullen is now passing in front of NBA teams.

McMullen completed the Seattle SuperSonics five-day rookie camp Friday and gave himself a positive review.

“I’m learning the ropes,” McMullen said from Seattle Friday between two-a-day practices. “My legs are trying to get used to the hard work. I’m rebounding well and playing defense well and taking my shot when it’s open.”

Seattle management has not made a decision on his future in the organization. The SuperSonics are expected to decide by Monday if they will field a team in the Southern California Summer Pro Basketball League, which opens play at Loyola Marymount this month, or merely have three of the 15 players from their rookie camp join another team in the league.

Regardless of what direction the SuperSonics take, McMullen, a 6-foot-10 center, will participate in the Denver Nuggets camp beginning next week.

Although there were few NBA caliber players among the would-be SuperSonics, McMullen noticed differences between the college and pro games.

“This is a much faster game than college,” McMullen said. “I have to prepare myself mentally to run the floor a little bit better. I also have to use my lower body to work hard, box out and get rebounds.”

Although McMullen was not among the 54 players drafted, he was not unwanted on draft day. Afterward, he received a call from Ray Patterson, Houston Rockets president and general manager. But McMullen said the Rockets’ interest ended when they signed unrestricted free agent forward Larry Smith to a three-year contract worth $2.5 million Tuesday.

McMullen is far from being bitter about not being drafted.

“I’m very happy about it,” McMullen said. “In a way it was better that I wasn’t drafted, because I can pick and choose where I go.”

In the 1987-88 season, McMullen averaged 13 points and 6.1 rebounds for San Diego State. He continued to improve at the start of last season, and some NBA scouts labeled him a potential first-round draft choice. But a bruised Achilles tendon in January limited McMullen’s effectiveness; he still finished as the Aztecs’ leading scorer (14.6) and rebounder (7.9).

“I’m just going to keep working hard and do the best I can,” McMullen said. “I’m not thinking about playing in Europe or the CBA. My sole focus is the NBA. I don’t want to settle for second best, and I’m going to keep my vision on that goal.”