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Baylor Basketball: Why Johnathan Motley should decide to return to Waco

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 24, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) reacts after loosing to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) reacts after loosing to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) hugs teammates forward Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (0) and forward Terry Maston (31) after the game against the USC Trojans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated USC 82-78. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) hugs teammates forward Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (0) and forward Terry Maston (31) after the game against the USC Trojans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated USC 82-78. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnathan Motley declared for the 2017 NBA Draft on Monday but he should return to Baylor basketball for his senior campaign.

During the 2016-17 season, forward Johnathan Motley not only had the best season of his college career, but he helped the Baylor Bears rise from a team that didn’t receive a single AP top 25 vote in the preseason, to a squad that was number one in the country at one point during conference play.

On his way to the Elite Eight, Motley averaged 17.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free throw line. He was the most consistent offensive player on the Bears roster as he influenced the game with his ability to operate in the post, his improved handles, his mobility and his ability to space the floor from the mid-range.

Motley is looking to capitalize on his superb season by testing the NBA Draft waters. The 6’10” power forward, who is long and skilled, officially declared for the 2017 NBA Draft but did not hire an agent, giving him a chance to return to Baylor for his senior campaign.

Motley’s draft stock is an interesting one because of his natural talent, upside, rebounding ability and solid offensive game. Before this past season, Motley’s motor and toughness was an issue with NBA scouts, but it seems as if that has become a thing of the past after guiding one of the top teams in the nation.

In addition to helping the Bears reach the final eight of the NCAA Tournament, Motley won the 2017 Karl Malone Award for the best power forward in the country, captured the Battle 4 Atlantis MVP in November and was a 2017 Hoophall award winner.

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