Baylor among top 10 universities for most active NBA players
If last year made clear that this is a golden era for NBA Bears, this season just runs up the score — with Baylor moving into a tie for 5th among universities with the most players currently in the NBA, tied with Kansas and ahead of schools like Michigan and Texas.
A school-record 11 Baylor alumni have played in the NBA this year. (Consider that from 1949 to 2010, a total of 10 Baylor alumni played in the NBA. In 2024-25, we’ve seen more than in just a few months!)
Here’s a look at the current Bears in the NBA:
- Jalen Bridges (BA ’24), Phoenix Suns
- Jared Butler (BBA ’21), Philadelphia 76ers
- RayJ Dennis, Indiana Pacers
- Adam Flagler (BS ’23), Oklahoma City Thunder
- Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
- Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
- Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat
- Royce O’Neale (BSED ’15), Phoenix Suns
- Taurean Prince (BSED ’16), Milwaukee Bucks
- Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
- Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto Raptors
Across the league, they’re making their presence felt. Missi was named the Western Conference’s Rookie of the Month after averaging a double-double in December, and he’s making a bid for Rookie of the Year honors if he maintains his current level of play. George (16.5 ppg) and Sochan (11.7 ppg) are among the top scorers on their teams, and Walter has steadily elevated his play, averaging nearly 10 points per game since the start of December.
From the Foster (or Ferrell) to the bright lights of the NBA, it’s become clear: Few schools are building pros as well as Baylor.
Sic ’em, NBA Bears!