Baylor's Jalen Bridges, a potential second round pick, has declared for the 2023 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he told ESPN. The 6'7 wing with a 6'10 wingspan has strong tools, defensive versatility, budding shot-making and upside still left to tap into. pic.twitter.com/cSjb8Hf0ZU

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 22, 2023

Dane or Craw, can you speak to the possibility of Flagler still coming back? I'm still hearing it is a real thing. I don't know direct contacts in the program anymore but from folks who do. Seem to think it's very possible.

Doesn't make a lot of sense with how the message was worded and getting older (wanting to start career at next level) . But was curious what you know.

If Bridges elected to come back and Flag somehow stayed that is the clear big 12 favorite along with Ku/Tex/Wvu. Just wild range of possibilities for next year with our team.

Quinton said:

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Dane or Craw, can you speak to the possibility of Flagler still coming back? I'm still hearing it is a real thing. I don't know direct contacts in the program anymore but from folks who do. Seem to think it's very possible.

Doesn't make a lot of sense with how the message was worded and getting older (wanting to start career at next level) . But was curious what you know.

If Bridges elected to come back and Flag somehow stayed that is the clear big 12 favorite along with Ku/Tex/Wvu. Just wild range of possibilities for next year with our team.

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Flagler won't be coming back, but he could. You can declare for the draft twice and still have eligibility so long as you don't retain an agent. I don't know if he has or not yet. It would honestly be stupid for him to come back on a personal level. He has nothing left to win here, and his goal is to play in the NBA. Another year at Baylor will just put another number on his age and do nothing to his draft stock. He most likely won't be drafted whether he goes this year or next. Might as well start the journey now.

Bridges may go too. His draft grade is significantly higher than Flagler's. He will most likely be a mid-2nd rounder. As of now. Whether he comes back next season depends entirely on whether he's good with that or whether he bets on himself to get into first round money.

Sorry Quint. Haven't been in this thread in awhile.

I don't know anything on Flagler. The more and more I hear on Bridges, though, I will be surprised if we see him again in a Baylor jersey. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Me too. I understand someone wanting to grab 2nd round $. That's why I wasn't harsh on KB like some on this forum. KB got 2nd round $ then had surgery. That's more $ than he would have gotten had he returned and gotten injured in Waco. That said, hoping Bridges returns b/c I think the door is wide open for him to skyrocket his draft stock. As in mid teens because he would be featured offensively for us. Much untapped upside that would benefit both him and us.

Got it. Yeah, Bridges has a better risk / reward by returning. I've heard both are 50/50 type situations so just wanted to hear from what others might know.

With them this is a wildly good team. Without either.. trouble grinding team. Only Bridges, solid potential but would take time. Huge range for next year.

100%. Don't see Flag benefitting from a return. But Bridges would be win/win IMO. fingers crossed