By SAM LANCE
Former Boise State guard and Toledo transfer RayJ Dennis has committed to Baylor, he announced live on the Field of 68.
Dennis, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard from Plainfield (IL), chose Scott Drew and the Bears over Utah, Illinois and Michigan.
“Scott Drew just being the person that he is, and the job he’s done with his guards in the past, it just felt like a great opportunity for me,” Dennis said on the Field of 68.
Said Drew: “RayJ is a proven winner,. He buoyed Toledo to a conference title on his way to earning MAC Player of the Year and has a great reputation for being an unselfish teammate. I know the Baylor Family will enjoy watching him compete every night, and our staff is looking forward to having him join our team.”
Dennis is the reigning MAC Player of the Year, posting averages of 19.5 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. He also shot 48.4% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range. Dennis compares his game to like likes of Jalen Brunson.
“Like the posting up aspect,” Dennis said. “[I] take that from him. And then just kind of playing angles and pick and roll stuff — like a little bit of Chris Paul and Tyus Jones. I would say probably those three mixed.”
Dennis was not ranked as a recruit coming out of high school and was recruited by mid-major programs. He spent the first two years of his career at Boise State, and then transferred to Toledo for the 2021-22 season. In his first year with Toledo, Dennis posted 12.7 points and 4.0 assists per game.
As a transfer this go-around, Dennis was a prized possession, ranking as Evan Miya’s No. 3 overall transfer. Ultimately, it was Drew’s pitch that secured the talented point guard.
“[He was] really just selling the development piece,” Dennis said. “It’s all about getting better. If I want to live out my goal of playing in the NBA one day, I have to get better. Period. And he just told me the opportunity is there but not really promising me anything, leaving that competitive aspect that I have to work for it. I love that.”
Dennis was a crucial get for Drew and company with two guards leaving via the portal in LJ Cryer (Houston) and Dale Bonner (Ohio State). Adam Flagler also decided to stay in the NBA Draft process. Dennis joins former VCU guard Jayden Nunn as the lone portal pickups for Baylor this off season.
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