Scott Drew addresses looming decisions on future for RayJ Dennis, Ja'Kobe Walter
Scott Drew knows there are looming decisions on RayJ Dennis and Ja’Kobe Walter as far as their futures at Baylor.
Following the Bears’ exit from the NCAA Tournament, it’s uncertain if one or both will be back on the team next year. No. 3 Baylor fell to No. 6 Clemson 72-64 in the Round of 32.
But there were no immediate decisions after the game.
“In the next couple of days we’ll visit with them and see where things are at,” Drew said postgame. “But the great thing that I have is they’ve got great parents, and they’ll make the right decision for them. I don’t have to stress or worry because they’ll be extremely educated and they won’t put their son in a bad position.”
Dennis finished the loss with 27 points, six rebounds and two assists. Walter put up 20 points, six rebounds and one assist.
Dennis and Walter were part of a pretty special team in Drew’s mind. It was hard for the coach to sum up his team in a brief statement.
“It’s hard because when you coach 30-plus years, there’s certain teams that are just more special than others because of the bond you have,” Drew said of the squad he had in 2024. “They were all raised right. They were all such a fun-loving group, respected one another. It all starts with the upperclassmen leadership, which was phenomenal all year. But normally you have one or two guys that aren’t energy-givers and they can be an energy-vampire. You might have a win but they didn’t get their points and they’re a little upset, and you feel that.
“This team, you just didn’t. We didn’t have any of that. And it’s such a blessing. That’s why every day was such a joy, and they always let us coach them. Anything we said — in fact, we got scared because whatever we told them, they did. Like, we’ve got to be on point. So you don’t always get that from young people. Just really appreciative of the team this year and how they conducted, carried themselves and how they’ve given all they’ve had for each other.”
Scott Drew embraces Baylor players, love for program
Walter considered Baylor home, to put it bluntly.
“It’s home,” Walter said. “The group of guys, the staff, it’s just really hard. Every game, I just went and put my body on the line because I loved my teammates so much, love the coaches so much. I never looked ahead. I always just wanted to be in the moment because this is really hard. We had big plans, and I know we could have did them.”
Dennis echoed those comments.
“I’m super glad I came hare,” Dennis said of Baylor. “I mean everybody always has the expectations and the way they want something to end, but I couldn’t have asked for my fifth year to go any better and play for a better coach and have better teammates.
“I mean, I’ve got brothers for the rest of my life. So I’m super excited that I came to Baylor. And I wouldn’t change it for anything.”