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Baylor Basketball: Johnathan Motley staying in 2017 NBA Draft

By Doug Winkey

Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) reacts near the end of 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: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) reacts near the end of 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: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baylor basketball will have to find a new stud after Johnathan Motley. The star forward has signed with an agent and will stay in the NBA draft.

Johnathan Motley was a true force for Baylor basketball this season. The junior forward dominated the competition en route to First Team-All Big 12 and helped the Bears reach the Sweet 16 in March. With him, Baylor would have been a darkhorse to win the conference next year.

That dream is now dead after it was announced Motley had signed with agent Happy Walters to stay in the NBA draft.

Motley is now the third Bear gone with Al Freeman and Ishmail Wainright. The Bears must find a way to replace Motley’s 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Scott Drew has a number of interesting potential replacements. Jo Lual-Acuil is the most productive big on the roster with his 9.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. He might not have the offensive skills Motley did, but he is a perfect defensive center. Terry Maston also returns 7.1 points and 3.8 boards, but youth might be the focus down low. 6’6″ redshirt freshman Mark Vital, 6’9″ freshman Tristan Clark, and 6’11” JUCO transfer Leonard Allen III will all be in the mix for frontcourt minutes. All will factor in somewhere, but it’s hard to know if any can dominate like Motley did.

The team’s real strength might move to the perimeter. Manu Lecomte was second on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game. He also dished 3.8 assists and shot 41% from deep. He is the face of the program next year regardless of who steps up down low. Jake Lindsey, King McClure, and a smattering of young unknowns will round out the potential rotation for the Bears.

Next: Hans Brase commits to Iowa State

Baylor appears to have one scholarship open now without Motley. Keep an eye on who they pursue to fill that final open spot; it could be the big difference in how next season goes in Waco.

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