Monday was a great day for Wichita State basketball fans. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reports that the team’s top two scorers — guards Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet — will spurn the NBA Draft and return to Wichita for their season seasons. The duo combined for 28.3 points, 9 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.2 assists per game for the defending Missouri Valley regular season champions.
From ESPN:
Wichita State’s starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker will return for their senior seasons.
Point guard VanVleet confirmed to ESPN.com that he will return, and sources told ESPN that shooting guard Baker also will return for his senior season. He was leaning toward leaving school, especially because he’s already graduated, but changed his mind after coach Gregg Marshall decided to spurn Alabama and he received information from the NBA draft advisory committee.
According to several NBA executives, Baker (6-foot-4) was considered a likely second-round selection if he had entered the draft.
VanVleet (6 feet, 195 pounds) started every game for the Shockers last season and ranked seventh nationally with a 3.10 assist to turnover ratio. He was second behind Baker on the team in scoring with 13.6 points, and his 5.2 assist average led the Missouri Valley Conference.
VanVleet also was regarded as a second-rounder by NBA executives.
