Baylor had three players drafted in the first 38 picks- a huge accomplishment for a program that had gone a decade without any draft picks until Ekpe Udoh was picked #6 in the 2010 draft.
Tonight Baylor had its second first round pick of the Scott Drew era. 6'11" 235 lb Perry Jones III was picked 28th by the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a tense night for Perry. He was projected to go in the 12-18 range but a report was circulating earlier in the day that he had a meniscus tear in his knee. Oklahoma City had to be thrilled that a top 10 talent fell into their lap as a result.
The Thunder are a great fit for Perry. They have high motor guys across the front line in Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison and Kendrick Perkins. The roster will likely shake up some for 2012-13, but regardless it is a situation that could fit Perry like a glove. Jones III is the perfect teammate and going to a championship caliber team will give him time to develop the confidence to display his wide array of skills.
All three Baylor guys were at the draft. The Quincys went back to back at picks 37 and 38 in the 2nd round. But the surprise was that Quincy Acy went first to the Toronto Raptors. Acy has a terrific shot at making the Raptors roster and earning playing time. The Raptors took a guard in the 1st round with the 8th pick- Terrence Ross from Washington. Ed Davis, James Johnson, Gary Forbes, Amir Johnson and Linus Kleiza are all players who Acy will probably be competing with for time and roster spots. But there are some bigger salaries in that group that Toronto may want to dump in favor for an athletic grinder like Acy who could fill that same role at a less expensive price.
Quincy Miller is probably second guessing his decision to go pro after slipping to the 2nd round- pick #38 (Denver Nuggets). Miller initially decided to stay at Baylor for his sophomore season but changed his mind after he felt like he had assurances of being a 1st round pick. Unfortunately, that scenario didn't unfold for him. Miller will have a tough time making the Nuggets roster and may need some seasoning in the D-league or Europe before getting a better shot in the NBA.
Regardless, it was a great night for Baylor basketball and a milestone for a program that continues to rise in stature and production.
- Ashley Hodge
- Baylor Insider - BearsTruth