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

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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Feb 11, 2017; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) dunks during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

2. His MCL injury

Five days ago, Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony announced that Johnathan Motley had surgery on a torn MCL that will keep him out 4-8 weeks. Motley apparently tore his knee ligament in Baylor’s Elite Eight game against South Carolina but kept playing with the injury.

Source: Baylor's Johnathan Motley out 4-8 weeks after MCL surgery. Tore it vs South Carolina, but kept playing. No NBA Draft decision yet.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 7, 2017

Motley was projected to be a mid-to-late first round pick before the torn ACL, but given the fact that it’s unlikely that the big man will be able to take part in the pre-draft workouts, his stock is definitely going to drop. It would not be surprising if projections regarding Motley’s draft stock were in the range of late first round or early-to-mid second round.

If the forward remains in the draft, other draftees or young players who are 100 percent will have a leg up on making the NBA roster and competing for a spot in the rotation. If Motley returns to Baylor, he will rehab within the confines of a familar environment without having to battle for playing time.

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