Baylor's Royce O'Neale Traded to Brooklyn Nets
Former Baylor Bears forward Royce O'Neale was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Brooklyn Nets for a 2023 first-round pick on Thursday, June 30.
ESPN was the first to report the trade.
The Nets are acquiring the Jazz's Royce O'Neal in a trade for a 2023 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
Baylor men's basketball was quick to jump on Twitter and congratulate O'Neale on continuing a flourishing NBA career.
Good luck on your new squad, @BucketsONeale00 🚕🗽#SicEm | #CultureofJOY https://t.co/CxhV1CqgV8
— Baylor Men’s Basketball (@BaylorMBB) June 30, 2022
O'Neale spent two seasons with Baylor (2013-2015) after starting his collegiate career with the Denver Pioneers (2011-2013).
During his time with Denver, O'Neale averaged 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game; at Baylor, the forward averaged 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest in his two years under coach Scott Drew.
The Jazz originally inked O'Neale to a three-year contract back in 2017 after he had spent several years playing in summer leagues and overseas.
Since that time, the forward has continued to shine -- and improve in all aspects of his game --- year-in and year-out.
New chapter and new beginnings 🖤🤍🤞🏾
— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) July 1, 2022
In O'Neale's first year in the league during the 2017-18 season, he appeared in 69 games and averaged 5.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game; the next year, he played in a career-high 82 games and posted an average of 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest.
During the 2019-20 season, O'Neale averaged 6.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game over 71 games; the very next season, he posted averages of 7.0 points, a career-high 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest over 71 games.
This past year for Utah, the former Baylor forward appeared in 77 games and averaged 7.4 points (once again improving every season), 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
All love utah and special place in my heart 🙏🏾🖤💚 https://t.co/lQk9xBPutn
— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) June 30, 2022
O'Neale's move to Brooklyn comes on the brink of Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Nets, as a blockbuster sweepstakes for the former Texas Longhorn looms this summer.
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com