"Most guys in my position in the draft, it would be a no-brainer to go to the NBA. It's not just the NIL. It's a chance to play with my boys. To play for coach [Todd] Golden. To go to the school I love to play for. It was definitely a tougher decision than last year, but it was best for my career and future."
Avdalas, a 6-foot-9 native of Greece, averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a freshman in Blacksburg. In the second game of his career, Avdalas had 33 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range, in a win over Providence. He skyrocketed up in NBA mock drafts on the heels of that game, looking like a projected first-round pick.
I think Bill Hodges is an unsung hero in this story who has never truly gotten his due. It is Bill Hodges who pulls Larry Bird back from the brink. I believe without Bill Hodges, we don't know Larry Bird's name.
Baylor averages 82.6 points per game while giving up 77.2 per contest, resulting in a +173 scoring differential overall. The Bears outscore opponents by 5.4 points per game.