Former Baylor star Johnathan Motley was passed over during the 2017 NBA Draft- an unexpected fate for the highly touted pro-prospect. Motley had an outstanding junior season, earning Big 12 First-Team All-Conference honors, a unanimous All-American Second-Team selection, and the 2017 Karl Malone Award given to the nation’s top power forward. Averaging 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 56.9% of his FG, Motley was the Bears’ MVP throughout their record breaking season. Although most mock drafts had Mot taken sometime in the first or second rounds, he was rejected by every NBA team. Some teams noted concern over his torn MCL, which means the injury might have a longer lasting effect than previously hoped. Though it’s both disappointing and shocking that Motley went undrafted, there’s still hope for an opportunity in the pro league…he’ll just have to slam his dunks a little harder.
