Busting Brackets
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Baylor Basketball: Ranking of the top 20 players from 2000-2020

By Andrew Tineo

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 23: Isaiah Austin #21 of the Baylor Bears runs up the floor against the Creighton Bluejays during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the AT&T Center on March 23, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 23: Isaiah Austin #21 of the Baylor Bears runs up the floor against the Creighton Bluejays during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the AT&T Center on March 23, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Baylor Basketball Kenny Chery (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

14. Kenny Chery PG (2013-2015)

What could quite possibly be one of the most underrated players on this list, Chery is a prime example of what Scott Drew can accomplish and how well he can recruit at the JUCO level. Chery was a transfer from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO, and earned NJCAA honorable mention All-American.

Chery came to Baylor in 2013 and served for two seasons as the Bears starting point guard. In his junior year, he was an honorable mention All-Big 12 and ranked second on the team in points with 11.5 and first in assists with 4.7 per game.

Chery’s ability to drive and create fouls was above average. What was even better was his free throw percentage as he led the Big 12 with nearly 88% from the line. What could quite possibly be the most memorable stretch for Baylor fans was the finish to the season, lead by Chery.

Chery made missed part of conference play due to a turf toe injury, and Baylor was just 2–8 during conference play at that point. The Bears would run the table and make a Big 12 Championship game appearance and a bid to the Sweet 16. The Bears would finish the season winning 13 of their last 15, with Chery leading the way with 13.6 points and 4.9 assists per game during that run.

He led Baylor to a 3 seed his senior season and is known for being a steady floor general. Chery isn’t the most decorated on this list, but the undersized guard from Montreal, Quebec made his mark in Baylor Basketball History.

Chery was named Big 12 Player of the Week and National Player of the Week, Newcomer of the Year, and an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

13. Curtis Jerrells SG (2006-2009)

With Kevin Durant in town, it would be very appealing for nearby kids to play in Austin for Rick Barnes. Instead, the Austin native decided to play for rival Baylor and immediately became a threat for the rest of the conference. Just two years after the cover-up and firing of David Bliss, Jerrells would play for Baylor and would be on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.

Jerrells would average 13.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 44% shooting from the field. Jerrells only played 17 games as that was all Baylor had that season. As part of the sanctions, Baylor’s non-conference schedule was wiped out for the season.

During his next season, Jerrells would take the next step, as well as, Baylor did. Even with a below .500 record, the Bears went 11-4 during the regular season and won 15 games, after winning just four the year before. Jerrells lead the Bears in scoring with 15 points. He would also add 4.7 rebounds and lead the team with 3.8 assists.

Over the course of the next two seasons, Jerrells’ numbers would continue to improve as he was playing at an All-Big 12 level, finishing his senior season with 16.3 points and shooting 42.7% on the season. He was never an elite three-point shooter, as he was just 35% in his career. However, his ability to be a scorer and a star for a program that has not it in a long time.

He was also apart of the team that made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1988. The first of the gems for the Baylor program under Drew was Jerrells and is someone many people will remember for being a bright spot during a dark time.

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