Scott Drew, Baylor Bears Have No. 17 Signing Class Entering Next Season

With a national letter of intent being signed by point guard Stargell Love, Baylor head coach Scott Drew recently completed a three-player signing that is ranked No. 17 in the nation by ESPN.

In addition to the signing of Love (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), Drew has also received commitments from forward Perry Jones (Duncanville, Texas), and guard Bakari Turner (Plano, Texas).

Drew’s Bears, who made a remarkable run to the Elite Eight before succumbing to the eventual-champion Duke Blue Devils, will enter the 2010-11 season on a high note.

They’ll be returning a large number of teammates from this past season’s successful journey through the Big 12 and Big Dance.

It’s now time to take a look at the three newest Bears…

1. Stargell Love, PG

Stargell Love, the latest addition to Baylor’s newest signing class, committed to the Bears on Wednesday, April 14, via a national letter of intent.

Love, a 6'2", 180-pound point guard out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina’s Quality Education Academy, averaged 17 points, 10 assists, and three steals per game as a senior this past season.

“Stargell [Love] will really fit in well with our team, and I know Baylor Nation will enjoy his athleticism,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew told the Bears’ official athletic site. “He’s been a part of an outstanding and successful program at Quality Education Academy that won the 2010 NCSAA championship.

“Such success shows that he’s not only a good player, but a great leader as well.”

2. Perry Jones, PF

Perry Jones, a 6'10", 220-pound forward out of Duncanville, Texas, has already received numerous looks and accolades from NBA scouts.

“Signing a player like Perry [Jones] is a monumental moment for this program,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew told ESPN.com news services in November of 2009. “Perry will not only be a great addition to our team, but will also open numerous doors for our program in years to come.”

As a junior, Jones averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game for Duncanville High School.

“Most people know what a great player he is, but what excites me so much about Perry are the intangibles,” Drew said. “He is a tremendous leader, an honor roll student, and, most of all, a great Christian role model.”

3. Bakari Turner, SG

Turner, a 6'3", 180-pound shooting guard out of Plano, Texas, attended Plano West High School. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists as a junior in 2008-09.

In addition, Turner is ranked No. 59 nationally at shooting guard in the ESPNU Top 100.

“Bakari [Turner] is one of those players who continues to get better and better,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew told ESPN in November of 2009. “He was such a great dual-sport athlete. Now that he’s chosen to concentrate on basketball, he’s improved exponentially.

“He’s a great athlete and always plays extremely hard.”

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Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]

[Photos Courtesy of Google Images Search]