South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman, arguably the best available player on the portal, signed Creighton on Tuesday.
Scheierman, a Nebraska native, chose the Bluejays over Nebraska, Clemson, Arkansas and Duke.
“I decided to sign Creighton because I really like the way they play,” Scheierman told ESPN. “They’re a altruistic team who really share the ball and I’m used to that and I like playing that way. They also let their guys play loose and loose and I feel like I’m doing my best in that kind of system.
“They have a great group of guys coming back who are very talented and know how to play properly and I think together we can create something special. Also, the opportunity to come home was an offer I couldn’t resist.”
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The Bluejays were ranked No. 9 in ESPN’s inaugural Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25, but the addition of Scheierman, who is No. 4 in ESPN’s transfer rankings, gives them an elite scorer and pushes them into the top 5.
“They said I was the missing piece to take them to a national championship – and better yet, I can do it at home,” said Scheierman.
Scheierman, a versatile 6-foot-6 winger, was named Summit League Player of the Year last season after averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and a 46.9% off the 3 point range shot. He hit 12 double-doubles over the course of the season, including a performance of 26 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists against Omaha in January.
Scheierman helped lead the Jackrabbits to a 30-4 record, including an 18-0 mark in the Summit League, before losing to Providence in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the brothers.
It was his second straight season that he earned a first-team All-Conference selection as he was selected after averaging 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 2020-21.
One of the top NBA draft candidates on the portal, Scheierman is still testing the NBA draft waters and is invited to the G League Elite Camp taking place May 16-17.
“There’s no number that I had in mind,” Scheierman said. “I think if I can be drafted and money is guaranteed then I will stay.”
What makes Scheierman so interesting is his offensive versatility. He can play point guard because he’s an elite passer, but he’s also great off the ball because of his shooting skills. Also, he rebounds like a power forward.
Creighton should go well with Scheierman because it will help him defensively. He can guard any forward Arthur Kaluma who isn’t defending, and he’ll have Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner behind him to protect the rim.
For Scheierman, proving that his production could hold up against the toughest competition – more than any NIL package – was key to his decision to go with Creighton. He played power forward in the Summit League for a fast team, which allowed him to show all his skills, but NBA teams wondered how it could be translated.
“It’s actually funny because information came out that I requested this and that,” Scheierman said. “In reality, I knew NIL would be a part of it, but I told my parents early in the process that if I go back to school, it will ultimately put me in a better position for my professional ambitions.”
Scheierman will join four players who started at least 13 games for Creighton last season. Ryan Nembhard was one of the top freshman point guards in the country, while colleague Trey Alexander was strong, averaging 16.0 points and 7.0 assists in two NCAA tournament games over the course of the season. Kalkbrenner and Kaluma will anchor the forecourt.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by NBA, NCAA, and international teams.