Report: Baylor's Jared Butler Medically Cleared to Play in NBA Ahead of Draft
Jul 17, 2021
Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) drives up court past Gonzaga guard Aaron Cook (4) during the second half of the championship game in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 5, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Former Baylor guard Jared Butler, who led the Bears to their first-ever NCAA Division I men's basketball championship, has been medically cleared by the NBA's fitness-to-play panel to play in the league, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
On June 22, Charania reported that Butler had been referred to the panel and wasn't allowed to play or practice in the NBA until cleared.
Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee reported that a heart condition raised red flags initially.
Butler earned consensus first-team All-American honors during his junior year, averaging 16.7 points and 4.8 assists for a Bears team that defeated the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs to win the national title.
Analysts have raved about Butler's NBA potential and character, including Jeff Goodman of Stadium and former ESPN NBA draft analyst Chad Ford:
This is AWESOME news. Jared Butler should be a LOCK first-rounder now. Terrific player, even better person. https://t.co/WgFKpV17fM
The 6'3" guard is listed No. 22 on Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report's 2021 NBA draft big board.
"We've given him a mid-first-round grade all season for his ability to fit in after improving his playmaking, spot-up shooting and defense," Wasserman wrote.
The NBA draft is set to take place from Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center on July 29, and Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported that Butler may even receive an invite to the green room:
Source: Five more players are expected to be added to the Green Room next week. Likely to come from this group of players based on NBA team voting:
Ziaire Williams Cam Thomas Sharife Cooper Usman Garuba Alperen Sengun Trey Murphy Isaiah Jackson Jared Butler Chris Duarte https://t.co/mP5ZwAX5ei
Butler isn't the only Baylor guard considered a first-round draft prospect, as point guard Davion Mitchell is also slated to be taken early. The last Baylor player to go in the first round was Taurean Prince in 2016. Baylor has never had two or more players go in Round 1.
Jared Butler Declares for 2021 NBA Draft After Leading Baylor to National Title
May 30, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Davion Mitchell #45and Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears elebrate their win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Baylor star Jared Butler declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Butler doesn't appear to be leaving the door open for a return, saying he's "100 percent prepared for and committed to the next step—the NBA!"
The 6'3" guard averaged 16.7 points and 4.8 assists as he helped lead the Bears to a national championship in 2021.
Butler could've stayed and helped Baylor in pursuit of a repeat. He probably couldn't have helped his NBA draft stock too much with another year on campus, though.
In his most recent big board, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked Butler as the 19th-best player overall. He also projected the Bears guard to go 17th to the Golden State Warriors in his most recent mock draft.
"Butler swayed scouts this year by improving his shooting, playmaking and defense while leading Baylor to a national championship," Wasserman wrote. "He comes off as an easy fit anywhere based on his ball-handling for creation and convincing spot-up three-ball."
In addition to his role in Baylor's team success, Butler helped himself by improving his offensive efficiency. As a sophomore, he shot 42.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Those numbers were 47.1 percent and 41.6 percent, respectively, during his junior campaign.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew is potentially looking an at uphill climb toward the team's title defense. Following Sunday's news, Drew might have to replace four of his top five scorers (Butler, MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell and Matthew Mayer) along with leading rebounder Mark Vital.
The Bears signed 5-star small forward Kendall Brown and 4-star recruits Langston Love and Jeremy Sochan, per 247Sports. James Akinjo also joined from Arizona, though it remains unclear when he'll be eligible to play after having already transferred once during his collegiate career.
Baylor Basketball Team Refuse to Accept Jeep After Dealership GM's Insensitive Remark
Apr 15, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: The Baylor Bears celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Baylor Bears defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Baylor men's basketball team refused to accept a gifted Jeep Wrangler from the Allen Samuels dealership in Waco, Texas, this week after the general manager of the dealership made an insensitive comment during a television interview.
According to the Associated Press (h/t USA Today), the custom Jeep the dealership attempted to give to Baylor was driven in the team's championship parade Tuesday. The car, which is wrapped in a national championship logo, would have been given to Baylor head men's basketball coach Scott Drew to drive for a year.
The offer was turned down, however, after Allen Samuels GM Ted Teague said during an interview on KWTX-TV that Drew could use the Jeep to "recruit, pull some people out of the hood."
Following the comment, Drew and Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades released a joint statement:
A joint statement from Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades and Head Coach Scott Drew ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kwcsX98TM4
Teague later apologized in a statement of his own:
"As the word came out of my mouth, I instantly knew it was the absolute wrong word. I know that I disrespected a countless number of people within our amazing Waco community, and beyond. I am deeply disappointed and saddened by my actions and offer each of you my most sincere apologies."
Baylor won the first national championship in the history of the men's basketball program this month when it beat previously undefeated Gonzaga 86-70 in the National Championship Game.
With the win, the Bears finished the season 28-2 and completed a massive turnaround.
Before Drew entered the fold in 2003 and in his first few seasons at the helm, Baylor rarely came close to reaching the NCAA tournament. From 1988 to 2007, Baylor missed the NCAA tourney 19 straight seasons until Drew finally broke the streak.
Baylor Parade 2021: Route, Date, Time and More
Apr 6, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears cuts down the net after his team's win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
To the victors go the spoils, and the Baylor Bears men's basketball team earned the right to celebrate with Monday's 86-70 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the national championship game.
On Tuesday, Baylor announced details for the celebratory parade that is scheduled for April 13.
It starts at 6 p.m. local time in Waco, Texas, at 14th Street and will follow Austin Avenue to 3rd Street before a 6:30 p.m. ceremony outside of City Hall. Head coach Scott Drew, some of the players and other special guests will address fans at the ceremony.
The school's announcement stressed the importance of practicing social distancing and wearing masks during the parade because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bears earned the parade with a dominant performance against the previously undefeated Zags. They also prevented Gonzaga from becoming the first men's team to win a championship and go undefeated since the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers.
Baylor jumped out to a 19-point lead in the first half and never looked back.
Jared Butler (22 points), MaCio Teague (19 points), Davion Mitchell (15 points) and Adam Flagler (13 points) led the way in a balanced scoring effort, while the defense swarmed Gonzaga's ball-handlers and contested nearly every shot while setting the tone from the start.
NBA Rumors: Baylor's Davion Mitchell 'Cemented' as Top-10 Draft Pick After Win
Apr 6, 2021
Baylor guard Davion Mitchell (45) celebrates during the first half of a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Houston, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
After helping Baylor win a national championship, the next stop for guard Davion Mitchell is likely the NBA draft lottery after impressing scouts with his performance:
Have spoken with multiple NBA executives and scouts 2nite, all of whom are in agreement that #Baylor’s Davion Mitchell has cemented himself as a top ten pick - pointing to Mitchell’s elite change of pace, first step and finishing ability. “He’s everywhere,” one said.
The guard finished with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in the 86-70 win over Gonzaga in Monday's national title game. It came after an outstanding showing in the Final Four with 11 assists and zero turnovers against Houston.
It was a continuation of a breakout season for Mitchell, who finished the year with averages of 14 points and 5.5 assists per game while being named the National Defensive Player of the Year.
Adding in his 44.7 percent three-point shooting, there is a lot to like about Mitchell going forward.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman listed him at No. 11 overall in the class with the floor of a three-and-D guard.
There is some cause for hesitation as Mitchell is already 22 years old while the rest of the lottery will likely be filled with players just one year removed from high school. The former Auburn transfer had also provided limited offensive production in his two previous years in college.
He shot just 32.4 percent from three-point range last season after hitting 28.8 percent beyond the arc as a freshman.
At 6'2", Mitchell is also undersized for the next level and could struggle against bigger guards.
Scouts have still clearly seen enough to know the talented player can be a valuable addition for NBA teams thanks to his quickness and instincts on both ends of the court. Mitchell has the tools to contribute immediately, while his upside remains high if he continues his offensive improvement.
Jared Butler: 'Ought to Make a Movie' Out of Baylor's 2021 NCAA Men's Title Run
Apr 6, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears reacts after a basket in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half in the National Championship game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 NCAA men's basketball tournament wants to see a movie about his team's championship run.
"Everybody sacrificed for it," Baylor's Jared Butler told reporters following Monday's 86-70 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs. "Everybody came back. We got the band back together, and we won it. Ought to make a movie out of it."
Butler was named MOP of the Big Dance after his championship game performance.
He was brilliant, finishing with a team-high 22 points via red-hot shooting (4-of-9 from three-point range), but he also played the role of facilitator with a game-high seven assists. His ability to break down the Gonzaga defense off the bounce and as a decision-maker in pick-and-rolls proved key, and he also helped the Bears shoot the Bulldogs out of their zone.
The performance helped Baylor clinch the first men's basketball championship in school history while playing through the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maybe there will be a movie.
Baylor vs. Gonzaga: Score, Celebration Highlights from 2021 NCAA Championship
Apr 6, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: MaCio Teague #31 of the Baylor Bears holds up the trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Well, that was a bit anticlimactic.
The three games in the NCAA women's Final Four were decided by 12 combined points, while Jalen Suggs hit a buzzer-beater to push Gonzaga past UCLA in the men's semifinals. Monday night had little in the way of drama.
Baylor took control early and continued to dominate in the men's national championship, rolling past the Zags 86-70.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 6, 2021
Jared Butler (22 points), MaCio Teague (19 points) and Davion Mitchell (15 points) all scored in double figures, while Mark Vital's 11 rebounds helped the Bears claim a 38-22 edge on the boards.
Butler was honored as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
The NCAA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols meant Baylor couldn't celebrate in the manner champions usually do. But that did little to dampen the Bears' enthusiasm as they basked in the program's first title.
"Our fans that have been with us for the lean years, the good years... they all deserve this, the city of Waco deserves this. Hey Texas, we got a national championship too! The state deserves this!"
Baylor won 21 games in Drew's first three seasons as it dealt with the fallout from the scandal surrounding his predecessor, Dave Bliss.
Drew steadily built the Bears up, getting them to the Elite Eight in 2010 and 2012. Monday represents his crowning achievement, and it probably won't be the last time the team is in the Final Four.
Baylor's Jared Butler Named 2021 NCAA Men's Tournament's Most Outstanding Player
Apr 6, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears reacts after a basket in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half in the National Championship game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Baylor's Jared Butler was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 NCAA men's basketball tournament as the Bears won the first national title in program history.
Scott Drew's squad blitzed Gonzaga early and didn't look back en route to an 86-70 victory Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Butler was Baylor's best player, finishing with 22 points, seven assists and three rebounds. He also shot 6-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The junior guard was solid all tournament, having averaged 13.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the Bears' first five wins. His efficiency also picked up as Baylor faced its most difficult tests of the Big Dance:
Jared Butler from 3 in Baylor’s first 4 NCAA Tournament games: 6/24
Davion Mitchell (15 points, six rebounds, five assists) and MaCio Teague (19 points, two rebounds) made strong cases, more than delivering in the title game.
Assuming this is the end for Jalen Suggs at Gonzaga, it wasn't the way the freshman guard wanted to close his tenure. He was the Bulldogs' leading scorer (22 points), a performance that will only be a footnote in Baylor's victory.
Suggs will have to settle for hitting one of the biggest shots in Final Four history.
Suggs got into foul trouble early in the first half against the Bears, picking up his second at the 16:56 mark, which summed up Gonzaga's brutal start. Drew Timme also collected his fourth foul with 11:37 left in the second half, putting a serious dent in the Zags' efforts to claw back from what was a 16-point deficit at the time.
By almost any measure, this was probably the single greatest season in Gonzaga history. But getting blown out in the championship game closed the year on a sour note, and the feeling was exacerbated by the loss of its unbeaten record.
For Butler and Baylor, however, the celebrations were only beginning.
Davion Mitchell's Precision Is Unlocking the Best Version of Baylor Basketball
Apr 4, 2021
Baylor guard Davion Mitchell (45) celebrates during the first half of a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Houston, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
INDIANAPOLIS — For most of the 2020-21 season, Davion Mitchell has been considered the 1B to Jared Butler's 1A. While both Baylor Bears are well-respected players nationally, Butler has typically received the most recognition.
That narrative, however, has steadily changed in the 2021 men's NCAA tournament.
And it's nowhere close to bad news for the Baylor Bears.
Thanks to a 78-59 demolition of the Houston Cougars, Baylor is headed to the national championship. The Bears will play the Gonzaga Bulldogs or UCLA Bruins, who meet in the second national semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Butler and Mitchell both excelled in Saturday's win. Butler poured in all 17 of his points in Baylor's terrific first half, while Mitchell totaled 12 points and 11 assists. The objective here isn't to determine whether Mitchell has overtaken Butler or discuss a question better suited for an unanswerable debate.
Instead, this is deserved praise for Mitchell, an incredible all-around player who has ensured Baylor looks every bit the championship contender we've come to expect in 2020-21.
More than anything, Mitchell has embraced his ability to fly past defenders on the dribble in the NCAA tournament. Through five games, he's 21-of-35 on two-pointers. That's largely a product of attacking the rim in pick-and-roll sets.
Four examples of Davion Mitchell rocking a defender to sleep, changing speeds and using his explosive first step to attack the left foot and blow by defenders. #Baylorpic.twitter.com/8gNDOLWWVS
That alone is valuable. However, his gravity as a ball-handler forces an incredibly tough choice for opponents.
Collapsing on Mitchell when he explodes into the paint may seem an obvious adjustment, but that's flawed, too. In five March Madness games, he's tallied 30 assists and only seven turnovers.
Besides, it would only create another problem.
For every defender that clogs the lane, it opens space on the perimeter. Baylor, which shot 11-of-24 from beyond the arc against Houston, ranks No. 1 nationally in three-point percentage.
You have to respect his dribble drive. But you also have to respect his passing. And he's Baylor's top three-point shooter. Mitchell, who's buried 45.3 percent of his triples this season, has become a complete nightmare to contain.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, he's scored or assisted on 38 percent of Baylor's points in the NCAA tournament
As if that's not enough, Mitchell is also a weapon on the other end.
Recently named the men's Defensive Player of the Year, he helped limit Arkansas star Moses Moody to 2-of-10 shooting in the Elite Eight. On Saturday, Mitchell played a key role in the Bears holding Houston star Quentin Grimes scoreless in the first half.
"We call him 'Off Night,' because people tend to have off nights with him," Baylor coach Scott Drewtold reporters after the win over Arkansas.
Drew again praised Mitchell on Saturday, lauding his guard's two-way ability. That versatility has launched the program into its first appearance in the national championship since 1948.
In all likelihood, Baylor needs both Butler and Mitchell to thrive in order to win a title. That's been the case all season.
With this version of Mitchell, though, the Bears have somehow managed to become an even greater force on both ends of the court. And now, Baylor is one victory from the best news possible: cutting down the nets in Indianapolis.
NCAA Tournament 2021: Gonzaga vs. Baylor Spread, Moneyline Odds for Title Game
Apr 4, 2021
Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) drives to the hoop past Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)
The NCAA men's basketball championship game is set and so are the betting lines for the sport's biggest stage.
No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 1 Baylor will finally meet after battling in the polls all year long over the top ranking. A Bulldogs victory would not only provide the first title in program history, but see the Zags become the first team to go undefeated en route to a national title since the 1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers.
Baylor is also searching for its first NCAA title after finishing as national runner-up to Kentucky in 1948.
The two teams left standing in the tournament were supposed to play each other at Bankers Life Fieldhouse back in early December, but positive COVID-19 tests within Gonzaga's traveling party forced the cancellation of that contest.
Now they'll meet as top two seeds in the tournament—the first time the No. 1 and No. 2 overall seeds have matched up for the championship since Illinois and North Carolina battled for the 2005 title—on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The spread slightly favors Gonzaga, but there's no question this should be one of the more tightly-contested games in March Madness history.
