By Katie Vasquez
MIDDLE VILLAGE — Number five on the Xaverian varsity girls basketball team glided across the court with ease during a championship game at Christ the King High School, showcasing skills she has been honing nearly her entire life.
For senior Callie Mullin, basketball has always been part of her world.
“It’s always been part of my life, going to my siblings’ practices, games,” Mullin said. “My dad’s been coaching since I was born.”
This year, Mullin is capping off her final season at the Brooklyn Catholic high school with a major milestone: 1,000 career points.
“A thousand means the points each score, like, throughout my career,” she said. “So over the four years, that’s how many I’ve scored.”
Reaching 1,000 points is no easy task and is considered a rare achievement in high school basketball.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Mullin said. “It’s hard to get. It’s just a lot of work that goes into it.”
Her family’s basketball pedigree may make the milestone seem less surprising. Mullin’s uncle is former NBA player and two-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Mullin, who also attended Xaverian.
Her father, Terence Mullin, said the achievement reflects years of dedication — and teamwork.
“I guess that night was kind of like an accumulation of hard work and dedication, putting the time in,” he said. “It is an individual accomplishment, but it’s definitely a team accomplishment because you’re not out there by yourself.”
Mullin has committed to play at Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry next year.
Her coach, Mark Spelman, said her absence will be felt.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without her next year,” Spelman said. “It’s going to feel very strange if I’m coaching next year to not have her there. She’s been a rock for me and the team to lean on.”
As her high school career comes to a close, Mullin said she will leave with lasting memories of a tight-knit group.
“This team, we’re super close and we do everything together,” she said. “We just really wanted to win for each other.”