Baylor's Flagler and Mayer Declare for NBA Draft, Maintain Eligibility

WACO, Texas – Baylor basketball senior wing Matthew Mayer and junior guard Adam Flagler have declared for the NBA draft while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. 

Flagler announced his decision Thursday afternoon and Mayer announced his Friday afternoon. Two starters for Baylor’s 2021-2022 Big 12 Championship team, both could likely return and start for the Bears next season.

It is a tough, personal decision that is not easy to predict, much less make for the student-athletes.

The return of Flager and Mayer to Baylor for next season would quickly make Baylor one of the favorites to win the 2023 National Championship. The duo played key roles on Baylor’s 2020-2021 National Championship team off the bench. 

Last season Flagler averaged 13.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 30.7 minutes in 31 games. He shot 43.8% from the field, 38.7% from three and 74.1% from the free-throw line.

Mayer averaged 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.8 minutes in 33 games. He shot 40.9% from the field, 32.4% from deep and 70% from the free-throw line across the 2021-22 season.

If the duo opts to play professional basketball, they would join starters James Akinjo and Kendall Brown and Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Jeremy Sochan in leaving for the next level. 

The Bears have five-star guard Keyonte George‍ and four-star big man Joshua Ojianwuna‍ coming in as freshman for next season along with West Virginia transfer forward Jalen Bridges.