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. The highlight reel of that moment has already drawn millions of views on social media, and the nomination places Mullins among a select group of college athletes recognized for clutch performance.
A Wave of Connecticut Connections in the 2026 ESPYs
OG Anunoby, now a key wing for the New York Knicks, earned a nomination for a last‑second comeback that defined the NBA Finals, while the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey squads were celebrated for their golden‑goal heroics at the Winter Olympics. Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears quarterback, received a nod for a game‑tying heave in the NFC Divisional Round, illustrating the breadth of sports represented.
Among the honorees with local ties, Hilary Knight, a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, is up for Best Athlete in women’s sports, and Aerin Frankel, who grew up in Bridgeport, competes for Best Championship Performance. Napheesa Collier, a former UConn star, is a finalist for Best WNBA Player, and Paige Bueckers, a UConn alum who presented at the 2024 ESPYs, previously won Best Female College Athlete in 2021.
Voting for the ESPYs, which have been hosted annually by ESPN since 1993, remains open online until July 15. Fans can cast ballots for Mullins’ play and the other nominees across a dozen categories, with the winners to be announced at the televised ceremony later this summer.
The ESPY Awards have become a cultural touchstone for celebrating not only athletic excellence but also the stories that unite communities. For Connecticut, the nominations underscore the state’s deep reservoir of talent that continues to shape national sports narratives.