Baylor Basketball: Re-ranking the top 20 Bear players from 2000-21

4. Johnathan Motley PF (2014-2017)

Starting every game as a freshman, Motley finished with a solid 7.7 PPG, to go along with 4.2 rebounds and shooting 43% from the field. Obviously still raw, Motley would make a jump in the right direction as a sophomore.

Switching numbers from #35 to #5 in the process, Motley would get 11.1 PPG, to go along with a much improved 62% from two-point range. Motley was the biggest thorn to the side of Iowa State. The sophomore combined for 54 points in the two meetings as Baylor got the better of Iowa state both times.

Motley made the biggest noise in his junior season when he led the Bears to a #1 ranking in the AP Poll. It was the first time in school history, Baylor had gotten that high. Baylor would finish in the Sweet 16 that year and ride a 14-game winning streak to begin the season.

Motley’s role was expanded and he was relentless on both ends of the floor. He averaged over 17 points and almost 10 rebounds per game. Motley would rack up the awards for leading the Bears to a 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and his outstanding individual performance.

Motley would receive All-Big 12 First Team, 2nd Team All-American, and won the Karl Malone Award, for the best Power Forward in College Basketball.

The combination of awards and national recognition is something that Baylor as a program has not seen before. Motley was Baylor’s first Karl Malone Award winner and in very rare company, by being an All-American.