Big 12 Basketball

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:

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:

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.

Chris Beard's first season as men's basketball coach at the University of Texas is shaping up to be a good one based on the amount of talent he has added since taking over. 

Former Minnesota guard Marcus Carr announced Saturday he is transferring to Texas. 

"Hook ‘Em," Carr wrote on Instagram with a picture of himself in a Longhorns jersey. 

Carr originally declared for the 2021 NBA draft in March, but signing with an NCAA-certified agent allowed him to maintain his college eligibility. He also entered into the transfer portal shortly before putting his name into the draft pool. 

ESPN's Jeff Borzello reported on June 30 that Carr was withdrawing from the draft but could still consider transferring from Minnesota. 

Carr was ranked as the No. 1 transfer for the 2021-22 season by CBS Sports' David Cobb. 

"The second-team All-Big Ten pick was capable of taking over a game as a scorer or a passer, and he might be at his best when he’s reining in the shot selection a bit and making his teammates better," Kevin Flaherty wrote for 247Sports.

Beard and his staff have done tremendous work recruiting transfers this offseason. Carr joins a group that includes Timmy Allen, Dylan Disu and Tre Mitchell. Each of those four players averaged at 15 points per game last season. 

Carr's shooting numbers took a dip in 2020-21 compared to his sophomore campaign. He went from making 36.1 percent of his three-point attempts to 31.7 percent last season, although the 22-year-old did average a career-high 19.4 points per game in 29 starts. 

The Longhorns haven't won an NCAA tournament game since 2014. Beard was hired by Texas after he spent the previous five seasons at Texas Tech. His teams won at least one tournament game in three of the past four years, including an appearance in the championship game in 2019.    

Three months after entering the transfer portal, Moussa Cisse will continue his college basketball career at Oklahoma State. 

Cisse told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Thursday he was impressed by what the Cowboys coaching staff did last season with Cade Cunningham:

I had to decide whether to go to the NBA or college. I watched a lot of film and saw the way they developed players. That was attractive to me. Coach Mike Boynton has been talking to me for a while now, trying hard. I can tell that he really likes me, and he can give me a chance to develop my game and take it to the next level.

Coming out of high school in 2020, Cisse was rated as a 5-star prospect and the No. 10 player in the nation by 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Cisse told Givony he picked Oklahoma State over Florida State, Georgia and Kentucky. 

Cisse committed to the University of Memphis in July 2020 after being impressed by head coach Anfernee Hardaway. 

Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji has reportedly withdrawn his name from the 2021 NBA draft class and will return to the Jayhawks for his senior season.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported the news Tuesday and noted Agbaji was projected as a potential second-round pick before opting to return for another year of college basketball.

The 21-year-old Wisconsin native has made steady progress across three years at KU. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals across 30 appearances during the 2020-21 season while also typically garnering the assignment of defending the opponent's top wing scorer.

Agbaji (6'6'', 214 lbs) made significant strides as an outside shooter. He shot just 30.7 percent from three-point range as a freshman in 2018-19, but he knocked down 37.7 percent of his outside shots last season while pouring in 2.6 threes per contest. His overall shooting percentage (42.0 last season) still needs work, though.

"I will be keeping my NCAA eligibility throughout this process and look forward to hearing from NBA professionals on ways I can improve my game. This is a great opportunity as I work towards my goal of being a professional basketball player," Agbaji said in a statement after initially declaring for the draft.

Givony noted Agbaji could establish himself as a first-round pick next year if he continues his upward trend in his final season with the Jayhawks.

Meanwhile, his return further bolsters an already promising outlook for Kansas next season.

The Jayhawks return their top three scorers (Agbaji, David McCormack and Jalen Wilson) from a team that went 21-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, and they added one of the top transfers in the country, Remy Martin, who averaged 19.1 points each of the last two years at Arizona State.

Andy Katz of NCAA.com ranked KU at No. 5 in his early power rankings for the 2021-22 campaign in April.

Agbaji and the Jayhawks are scheduled to open the season Nov. 9 with a high-profile clash against Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic.

Former Kansas big Silvio De Sousa has entered the transfer portal, according to Scott Chasen of 247Sports. 

De Sousa opted out of the 2020-21 season amid "personal issues," Chasen reported in October. But weeks after his decision was made public, he was charged with aggravated battery stemming from an incident that occurred on New Year's Day in 2020. 

Per an affidavit, De Sousa struck a man outside of a restaurant. The victim lost vision in one eye despite having multiple surgeries to repair his injuries, reported Dylan Lysen of KUSports.com. 

"I have a lot of things weighing on my mind and need to address these by taking time for myself and stepping away from basketball," he wrote in a Twitter post last October. "I do not know what my next plan will be right now, but I will decide that when the time is right."

Lysen reported in April that De Sousa sought a diversion from the charge in order to avoid legal proceedings and instead complete rehabilitation or pay a fine, but negotiations in that process had "fallen through," his attorney said. 

Instead, De Sousa pleaded not guilty at a preliminary hearing May 4. He will stand trial Aug. 2, according to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star. 

The victim, Grant Davis, said at the preliminary hearing that he intervened when De Sousa, who he did not know, was arguing with his girlfriend and her softball teammate. Davis said De Sousa "charged and struck him," which "felt like my eye was getting hit with bricks." 

Witnesses said several other former and current Kansas basketball players were at the Lawrence restaurant on the night of the incident. 

De Sousa's career at Kansas was inconsistent. He was a member of the team's 2018 Final Four run but didn't play the next year. He was implicated in a scandal that season when it was discovered his guardian received payments related to his commitment to Kansas.

He was suspended 12 games during the 2019-20 season for his role in a fight between Kansas and Kansas State in January of that year. 

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.

Former Arizona State star Remy Martin has committed to Kansas but left the door open for a possible jump to the NBA.

"I just want to be able to play for a historic program," Martin told Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today. "I’m very excited to play for Coach Self and get my master's degree. I'm hoping to interact with the fans and play in such a historic place like Phog Allen Fieldhouse."

The 6'0" guard averaged 19.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 23 games for the Sun Devils this past season.

Martin entered the transfer portal Tuesday. His father, Sam, told The Athletic's Doug Haller the three-time All-Pac 12 player was "just trying to hedge his bets a little bit" and is "full-bore, straight-ahead on trying to get to the league."

Martin also flirted with the NBA prior to the 2020-21 season before eventually returning to Arizona State.

With the NCAA allowing fall and winter sports athletes to gain an extra year of eligibility, suiting up for the Jayhawks will likely allow him to showcase his skills better than he could have with the Sun Devils. While it's still early, Kansas figures to be a Final Four contender in 2021-22, and the addition of Martin tips the scales even more in the program's favor.

Brian Bennett and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic ranked him as the best player in the transfer portal:

But Martin has a bulldog mentality that makes up for some of his shortcomings, and he's one of the few guys in the transfer portal who can get you 20 points a night in a power conference. He finished his Arizona State career ranked sixth all-time in scoring and second in assists. ... He's a winning player who could be one of the prizes of the portal.

Especially if Ochai Agbaji, who's also exploring his draft prospects, returns to Lawrence, the Jayhawks could have a dynamic backcourt combination. Agbaji was the team's leading scorer at 14.1 points per game.

From an NBA perspective, Martin might still have some work to do. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman didn't list him among the top 50 players on May 4, and he was absent on ESPN's list of the top 100 available.

The downside for Martin is that he'd be 24 by the time the 2022 NBA draft rolls around if he chooses to wait. Obi Toppin was considered an older player in his draft class, and he was 22 when the New York Knicks selected him eighth overall.

Whatever he decides, Martin has until July 19 to make up his mind.

Texas forward Greg Brown announced his intention to enter the 2021 NBA draft Thursday.

Brown posted a statement on Instagram that he has signed with BDA Sports.

"First off, I would like to thank the University of Texas for the historical year and all the great memories," Brown wrote. "I will cherish them forever. I have decided to chase my dreams and enter the 2021 NBA Draft and sign with BDA Sports."

The 19-year-old averaged 9.3 points and 6.2 rebounds during his freshman season with the Longhorns, who were eliminated in round one of the NCAA tournament. 

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has Brown ranked as the No. 40 prospect in this year's class. 

Brown, who is listed at 6'9" and 205 pounds, is one of the most athletic players in the nation. His earth-shattering dunk against Baylor may have been the best of the 2020-21 college season, and he's consistently able to use his leaping ability and lateral quickness to help out in former coach Shaka Smart's pressure defensive system.

While he's not an elite scorer, the Texas native flashed an improving jumper and hit 33.0 percent of his three-point shots as a freshman. His passing and playmaking IQ need a ton of work, but he projects as a potential 3-and-D player at the 3 and could rocket up boards if he keeps working on his shooting mechanics.

The measurables in terms of athleticism will be undeniable, and Brown could lap the field in workouts if the NBA has an in-person scouting combine this year.

As it stands, he has tremendous upside because of his size and athleticism. He could move up in the rankings throughout the pre-draft process due to his skill set. 

Texas Tech guard Mac McClung has withdrawn from the NCAA transfer portal but left open the possibility of moving on to the NBA.

"Just didn't feel right in my heart," McClung wrote Thursday on Twitter. "Whatever decision I make in the near future with the NBA process, I will always want to be a part of Red Raider Nation."

On April 11, he had announced his plans to prepare for the NBA draft while also entering the transfer portal:

The Gate City, Virginia, native averaged 15.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 2020-21 after transferring from Georgetown. He also shot 41.9 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc, both of which were personal bests.

McClung's original decision came 10 days after Texas officially announced the hiring of head coach Chris Beard from Texas Tech. The Red Raiders subsequently promoted associate head coach Mark Adams to succeed Beard.

Stadium's Jeff Goodman noted McClung would've needed the NCAA to grant him a waiver in order to receive immediate eligibility at another school. That's not a problem at Texas Tech. Adams also provides a level of continuity for players on last year's squad, which might have played into McClung's final decision.

The 21-year-old now has until July 19 to decide if he'll be a part of this year's draft class ahead of the July 29 event.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman omitted McClung from his most recent big board. Likewise, he wasn't among the top 100 prospects on ESPN.com or for Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.

Returning to Lubbock might be the best move to help his hopes of carving out an NBA career.

Kansas Jayhawks freshman guard Bryce Thompson will not return to the school for his sophomore season and will enter the transfer portal, he announced Tuesday.

"I just want to say thank you to the Kansas coaching staff, the team doctors, all the staff and the fans for supporting me since I got to Lawrence," he told Eric Bossi of 247Sports. "I appreciate everybody supporting me from day one, but after careful consideration with my family, I feel that it is in my best interest to enter the transfer portal."

Thompson, a 5-star recruit in the class of 2020, averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20 games (four starts) for the Jayhawks. He dealt with a back injury and broken hand, limiting his production.

"After talking to his family, Bryce let us that he was going to enter the transfer portal," Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a press release. "I know Bryce had a tough freshman season with injuries, but I enjoyed coaching him this year through the ups and downs. We wish nothing but the best for the entire Thompson family moving forward."

Thompson has major talent despite a tough freshman season and will arguably be the crown jewel of this year's crop of transfers.

He joins Tristan Enaruna, Gethro Muscadin, Latrell Jossell and Tyon Grant-Foster as players who'll depart Kansas via the transfer portal this offseason, per Gary Bedore of the Wichita Eagle. Missouri Southern State's Cam Martin and Drake's Joseph Yesufu have joined the school via the portal.

The Jayhawks finished the 2020-21 season 21-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they lost to USC.