March 29, 2024

Ron Baker (Potawatomi) Files NBA draft Advisory Paperwork

By SI Wire

Wichita State junior guards Ron Baker (Citizen Band Potawatomi) and Fred VanVleet have filed paperwork to have their draft stock evaluated by the NBA, coach Gregg Marshall told KFH radio.

The evaluation process is not binding and neither have announced their decisions for next season. Underclassmen have until April 26 to declare for the draft, but can retain the option of returning to school if they do not hire an agent and withdraw from the draft.

Marshall, who agreed to a seven-year extension to stay in Wichita, said the two will receive feedback from the league before making a decision.

“They have filed the paperwork with the NBA advisory… whatever,” Marshall said. “They get a consensus on where they think they may be drafted. That’s fluid. It’s not absolute, because of trades and things that can happen on draft day. We’ve done that for them. We’ve met with them preliminarily.”

• Wichita State has agreement to keep Gregg Marshall

Baker averaged 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field and 38.3% on three pointers last season.

VanVleet, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore, averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 43.0% from the field and 35.7% on three pointers.

The duo helped lead the Shockers to the Final Four as freshmen, to a 35-1 record as sophomores and an upset of Kansas in the third round of the NCAA tournament this season.