By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
After withdrawing from the NBA draft a little more than two weeks ago and evaluating professional opportunities to play in Australia, Baylor wing Jalen Bridges announced late Wednesday he will return to Scott Drew’s program.
Bridges return likely solidifies the Bears roster for the 2023-24 season. A 6-7, 225-pound slasher who transferred from West Virginia, Bridges started all 34 games of the Bears this past season.
After an up-and-down showing during the non-conference schedule, Bridges became a consistent factor during the Big 12 season. He scored in double figures and 12 of the 18 conference games and then one for a career-high 28 points against Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. He set a league tournament record going 7-8 from 3-point range.
Bridges finished the season averaging 10.3 points and a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per game.
But in a stunning move he announced in March he was declaring for the NBA draft while maintaining his eligibility. All NBA mock drafts showed Bridges was either going to be a late second round pick or not selected at all.
Bridges will offer some needed length in the front court where Baylor does not have a lot of options. The Bears missed out on North Dakota State 6-11 center Grant Nelson (Alabama) and Tennessee 6-8 power forward Olivier Nkamhoua (Michigan) in late transfer portal pursuits.
Publisher
After withdrawing from the NBA draft a little more than two weeks ago and evaluating professional opportunities to play in Australia, Baylor wing Jalen Bridges announced late Wednesday he will return to Scott Drew’s program.
Bridges return likely solidifies the Bears roster for the 2023-24 season. A 6-7, 225-pound slasher who transferred from West Virginia, Bridges started all 34 games of the Bears this past season.
After an up-and-down showing during the non-conference schedule, Bridges became a consistent factor during the Big 12 season. He scored in double figures and 12 of the 18 conference games and then one for a career-high 28 points against Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament. He set a league tournament record going 7-8 from 3-point range.
Bridges finished the season averaging 10.3 points and a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per game.
But in a stunning move he announced in March he was declaring for the NBA draft while maintaining his eligibility. All NBA mock drafts showed Bridges was either going to be a late second round pick or not selected at all.
Bridges will offer some needed length in the front court where Baylor does not have a lot of options. The Bears missed out on North Dakota State 6-11 center Grant Nelson (Alabama) and Tennessee 6-8 power forward Olivier Nkamhoua (Michigan) in late transfer portal pursuits.
