Whether it's the Celtics, Bulls or simply a summer destination, Bryan Mullins is optimistic his phone will ring today.

Mullins, a four-year starting point guard for Southern Illinois University, said he expects to watch today's first and second rounds of the NBA draft at his home in Downers Grove. He doesn't expect to make the board of 60, but after working out for the Boston Celtics for three days this week and the Chicago Bulls last week, he does expect another opportunity to play.

He might get it sooner than he thinks. Mullins was mentioned as a possible pick at No. 58 by the Celtics in a Boston Globe article Wednesday by Marc J. Spears, and was ranked the 27th-best point guard in the draft by ESPN.com.

"Obviously, I heard some stuff, and it's nice to hear my name there, even though I've been hurt," Mullins said. "Getting back in shape, and being able to work out in the last month has helped me. Obviously, I'll watch it. If I'm not taken, I'm looking forward to getting on a summer-league team."

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound lefty missed part of his last two seasons for the Salukis because of stress fractures. One was in his left foot, the other his right. Wednesday, he said he feels healthy for the first time since his junior year.

"It's a great feeling to have confidence in my body," Mullins said. "Even through my senior year, I was banged up in one way or another. For the first time in awhile, it feels good to go out and play everyday."

Mullins played pretty well on one-and-a-half feet at times. He finished his career as one of only two players in the Missouri Valley Conference to accumulate more than 500 career assists and 250 career steals. A two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Year, he had a 3.26 assist-to-turnover ratio in 2008-09 and shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range for his career. He was never a prolific scorer, as his 24 points against Saint Mary's in 2007-08 was his career high, but always showed an ability to score off the dribble or hit the open jump shot.

"Every player has their own little niche, and that's kind of how you make it into the league," Mullins said. "Playing defense and being a point guard has been my whole life. You just got to find your place."

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5087