CINCINNATI — Baylor University redshirt junior guard MaCio Teague, a 2015 Walnut Hills High School graduate, declared for the NBA Draft on Monday afternoon.
"After much consideration and conversation with my family, I have decided to declare for the NBA Draft," Teague tweeted. "Thanks to my family and those supporting me along this journey."
Walnut Hills boys basketball coach Ricardo Hill knew the past several weeks that Teague was considering a decision.
"I'm so happy for him," Hill told WCPO. "I'm not surprised. I think it's a great decision for him. I think MaCio's game is perfect for the NBA. He's able to hit shots. When you can hit shots like he can you always have a chance. He had a great season. And why not? He still can keep his options and come back. So I knew over the last several weeks that this would probably happen."
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn but that date could be pushed back due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Teague helped lead Baylor (26-4) to a No. 5 national ranking in the season's final Associated Press men's college basketball poll.The season ended prematurely because of the coronavirus outbreak.
"I was so disappointed when the coronavirus and all that stuff hit where it canceled the NCAA Tournament because I really thought that it would give MaCio a chance to really show the world what he can really do," Hill said. "I thought Baylor was going to make a run in that tournament. When you have good guard play you always have a chance."
Baylor was ranked No. 1 nationally for five consecutive weeks, matching the longest streak by any team since Kentucky in 2015.
Baylor's 6-1 record against AP top 25 teams was the nation's best, according to the program.The Bears tied for the third-most wins against ranked teams behind only Iowa (7-5) and Michigan State (7-4).
Teague averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Bears this past season. He shot 40% from the field including 35.5% from beyond the 3-point arc.
Teague, who graduates this spring, was named to the All-Big 12 Conference second team along with being a unanimous selection to the Big 12 all-newcomer team. He also garnered other weekly, tournament and coaches' association awards. He was named to the Academic All-Big 12 second team.
"No matter what he decides his future is extremely bright," Hill said. "Just encouraging him just to make sure that he stays on the path that God has put him on and do the right thing and that's what he does."
Teagueaveraged 26.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior at Walnut Hills in the 2014-15 season. He broke the school's single-game scoring record with 51 points against Piqua in the Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational in January 2015.
Teague was the Eastern Cincinnati Conference player of the year and the District 16 Coaches' Association player of the year.
He completed a prep year at nationally recognized Montverde Academy in Florida before he played at University of North Carolina Asheville. He received his release to transfer and committed to Baylor in April 2018.
