For the third time in Baylor women’s basketball history (2002, 2013, 2017), two Lady Bears were selected in the 2017 WNBA Draft held at the Samsung 837 venue on Thursday, April 13.
Alexis Jones became the seventh first round draft pick in school history. The Minnesota Lynx selected the guard with the 12th overall pick. Guard Alexis Prince, the 13th WNBA Draft pick all-time at Baylor, was selected 29th overall and fifth in the third round by the Phoenix Mercury.
Baylor has had 13 players drafted all-time, all under the direction of head coach Kim Mulkey. The program boasts seven first round selections and six third picks.
Jones, the only player to record a triple-double in the Big 12 this season, was named a 2017 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American and to the All-Big 12 first team after averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest. She was twice named Big 12 Player of the Week (Nov. 30, Jan. 30) and once selected Naismith Trophy Women’s Player of the Week (Jan. 31) this season.
“It’s really exciting,” Jones said. “(The Minnesota Lynx) have a lot of good players. I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute and possibly win another championship. Baylor helped prepare me for this moment by teaching me to be a better leader and be more vocal on the court.”
In 2016, Jones was recognized as a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Big 12 Most Outstanding Player. The Irving, Texas, native was also a first team All-Big 12 pick. Before transferring to complete her career at Baylor, Jones was a two-time All-ACC second team selection at Duke (2013, 2014).
Jones closes her career second in career three-point field goal percentage (.411), second in triple-doubles (1), fourth in assist average (4.6), eighth in three-point field goals made (132) and ninth in three-point field goal attempts (321).
Prince, the 32nd Lady Bear to surpass the 1,000 career point mark, was selected to the All-Big 12 second team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team after starting every game as a senior. She averaged career-highs in points (12.1) and rebounds (5.8) per game.
“(Hearing my name called) felt amazing,” Prince said. “God is good, and I’m excited to get to training camp and do what I can to contribute to the team.”
Prince will team up with Baylor women’s basketball great Brittney Griner, who has had a successful career with the Phoenix Mercury. Prince and Griner played together as Lady Bears in the 2012-13 season.
“That will be cool to link back up with her, it’s been a while,” Prince said. “It was great playing with her at Baylor. She has a great personality and I would love to have the opportunity to play with her again at the next level.”
Prince came on strong in the postseason, garnering Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team recognition. In the three-game stretch, she averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per contest. The Orlando, Fla., native shot an efficient 62.2 percent from the floor, including a 52.9 percentage from three-point land. Prince was also named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team in 2015, and to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team in 2013
Prince ends her Baylor career ranked fifth in three-point field goal attempts (377), seventh in three-point field goals made (136) and 11th in three-point field goal percentage (.361).
