Last Updated on March 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Baylor basketball history spans early Southwest Conference stars, elite scorers, modern Big 12 powerhouses and the program’s breakthrough 2021 national title team. Baylor’s official history highlights Terry Teagle and Vinnie Johnson among its all-time great scorers, LaceDarius Dunn as the program’s career points leader, Johnathan Motley as the school’s first consensus All-American, and Jared Butler as the first consensus first-team All-American in school history. (Baylor)

1. Terry Teagle

  • Years at Baylor: 1978–1982
  • Position: Guard/Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Baylor all-time great scorer
    • Three-time All-American
    • 1980 SWC Player of the Year
    • Longtime Baylor scoring leader

Teagle gets the top spot because his blend of longevity, scoring and honors is still one of the strongest résumés in program history. Baylor says he finished with 2,189 points, was a three-time All-American, ranked first in school history in field goals made at the time, and was the program’s all-time scoring leader for nearly three decades. (Baylor)

2. LaceDarius Dunn

  • Years at Baylor: 2007–2011
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Baylor career scoring leader
    • Former Big 12 career scoring leader
    • Baylor all-time leader in made three-pointers
    • Key figure in Baylor’s rise under Scott Drew

Dunn belongs near the very top because no Baylor player scored more points in a career. Baylor says he concluded his career as both the Baylor and Big 12 all-time leading scorer with 2,285 points, while also setting school records in made threes, attempted threes, free-throw percentage, games played and wins. (Baylor)

3. Jared Butler

  • Years at Baylor: 2018–2021
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • First consensus first-team All-American in program history
    • Two-time All-American
    • Led Baylor to the 2021 national championship
    • Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year

Butler has a strong case for No. 1 on peak value alone because he was the lead star on the greatest team in program history. Baylor says he became the first consensus first-team All-American in school history after leading the Bears to the 2021 NCAA title, and he later added Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year honors. (Baylor)

4. Johnathan Motley

  • Years at Baylor: 2013–2017
  • Position: Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • First consensus All-American in program history
    • Karl Malone Award winner
    • Major force on a No. 1-ranked Baylor team
    • One of Baylor’s best modern big men

Motley ranks this high because he paired elite individual recognition with one of Baylor’s strongest modern seasons. Baylor says he became the first consensus All-American in program history in 2017, won the Karl Malone Award as the nation’s top power forward, and helped Baylor reach a Sweet 16 after the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking. (Baylor)

5. Vinnie Johnson

  • Years at Baylor: 1977–1979
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Two-time All-American
    • Baylor record-holder in points per game
    • Baylor single-game scoring record holder
    • One of the most explosive scorers in school history

Johnson’s peak was outrageous, which is why he lands so high despite only two seasons in Waco. Baylor says he averaged 24.1 points per game at Baylor, still holds the school record in scoring average, ranks near the top of the program’s assist list, and set the school single-game scoring record with 50 points against TCU in 1979. (Baylor)

6. Davion Mitchell

  • Years at Baylor: 2019–2021
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • National Defensive Player of the Year
    • All-American
    • 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
    • South Regional Most Outstanding Player on the national title team

Mitchell’s case is built on winning and defensive dominance. Baylor says he swept the major national defensive player of the year awards in 2021, earned All-America honors, helped lead the Bears to their first national championship, and was the South Regional MVP during Baylor’s first Final Four run since 1950. (Baylor)

7. Pierre Jackson

  • Years at Baylor: 2011–2013
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • All-American
    • Elite lead guard of a 30-win Baylor team
    • Bob Cousy Award finalist
    • One of Baylor’s best point guards ever

Jackson makes the list because his short Baylor run was electric and highly productive. Baylor’s official player profile says he earned AP All-America honorable mention, was a Bob Cousy Award finalist, and drove Baylor’s 2011-12 Elite Eight team before becoming one of the nation’s best guards the following season. (Baylor)

8. Curtis Jerrells

  • Years at Baylor: 2005–2009
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Baylor Hall of Famer
    • Fourth in Baylor career scoring
    • Led the Bears back to the NCAA Tournament
    • Cornerstone of the program rebuild

Jerrells is one of the most important players in Baylor’s modern history because he helped move the program from rebuilding to nationally relevant. Baylor says he ranked fourth all-time with 1,820 career points, led the Bears back to the NCAA Tournament, and starred on the 2009 NIT finalist that further accelerated the program’s rise. (Baylor)

9. David Wesley

  • Years at Baylor: 1990–1992
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • 1992 SWC Player of the Year
    • Two-time first-team All-SWC
    • Baylor Hall of Famer
    • One of the best all-around guards in school history

Wesley belongs here because his Baylor peak was elite and his overall skill set was outstanding. Baylor says he was first-team All-SWC in both 1991 and 1992, won SWC Player of the Year in 1992, and still ranks highly in career points, assists, steals and free-throw percentage. (Baylor)

10. Tweety Carter

  • Years at Baylor: 2006–2010
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • All-American
    • Lead guard on Baylor’s 2010 Elite Eight team
    • One of the most important backcourt pieces of the Drew rebuild
    • Baylor All-American in a breakthrough era

Carter makes the list because he was central to Baylor’s jump from respectable to nationally dangerous. Baylor’s official All-America history lists him among the school’s recognized All-Americans, and the program’s statistical archive shows 2009-10 ended with a 28-8 record and an Elite Eight run, one of the landmark seasons in school history. (Baylor)

11. Ekpe Udoh

  • Years at Baylor: 2009–2010
  • Position: Forward/Center
  • Notable Achievements:
    • All-American
    • First NBA lottery pick in program history
    • Defensive anchor of an Elite Eight team
    • One of Baylor’s best interior defenders

Udoh’s Baylor stay was brief, but the impact was enormous. Baylor’s official All-America history includes him among the school’s honored players, and Baylor later described him as the first NBA lottery pick in program history, which speaks to how dominant and high-level his one Baylor season was. (Baylor)

12. Micheal Williams

  • Years at Baylor: 1984–1988
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Two-time All-American honoree
    • Baylor Hall of Famer
    • One of Baylor’s best guards of the 1980s
    • Key scorer and playmaker in the SWC era

Williams rounds out the list because Baylor’s official All-America history credits him with multiple national honors, making him one of the more decorated guards in school history. He also stands out as one of the few Baylor men’s players with All-America recognition in multiple seasons. (Baylor)

Strong Honorable Mentions

  • Perry Jones III
  • Rico Gathers
  • MaCio Teague
  • Darryl Middleton
  • Brian Skinner
  • Aaron Bruce

The toughest cuts were players from Baylor’s Scott Drew era because that stretch produced both high-level stars and huge team success. Baylor’s official All-America history includes Jones, Gathers and Teague-era stars among the program’s decorated players, while its centennial team also highlights earlier standouts like Middleton and Skinner among the greatest Bears ever selected by fans and an expert panel. (Baylor)