Braylon Mullins, a sophomore guard for the Connecticut Huskies, has been nominated for the 2026 ESPY Award for Best Play after his buzzer‑beating shot that eliminated Duke in the NCAA tournament.
A Connecticut Connection
The ESPY Awards, broadcast annually by ESPN since 1993, invite fans to vote online for categories such as Best Play, with the voting window closing on July 15.
Among the nominees are OG Anunoby for a last‑second comeback in the NBA Finals, Caleb Williams for a game‑tying heave in the NFC Divisional Round, and the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams for their Olympic gold‑medal goals.
Several athletes with ties to Connecticut are also recognized, including Hilary Knight, a Choate Rosemary Hall alum, for Best Athlete in women’s sports, Aerin Frankel, a Bridgeport native, for Best Championship Performance, and Napheesa Collier, a former UConn star, for Best WNBA Player.
UConn alum Paige Bueckers served as a presenter at the 2024 ESPYs and captured the award for Best Female College Athlete in 2021, underscoring the university’s ongoing impact.
The ceremony blends college, professional and international competition, highlighting the broad reach of sport and giving fans a direct voice in honoring defining moments.
As the voting period progresses, supporters from across the nation are expected to rally behind their favorites, turning the ESPY Awards into a nationwide celebration of athletic excellence.