March Madness is quickly approaching and that means that the regular basketball season is coming to an end. With this, comes a bittersweet farewell to our senior athletes Sune Agbuke, Royce O'Neale and Kenny Chery. These athletes have dedicated many hours, memories and triumphs to our beloved Bears' basketball teams and so in return we celebrate them and send them off with a heartfelt goodbye.
Sune Agbuke, #22, achieves greatness both on and off the court. Graduating in just three years as pre-law with a philosophy degree and a 3.53 GPA, Agbuke started Baylor Law School last May. She made many academic achievements and was honored on the Academic All-Big 12 Honor Team. Her latest achievement is being one of the top 10 finalists for the CLASS award, which you can vote for at the Senior Class Award website. Sune Agbuke started in 36 games last season and helped lead the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team to 5th consecutive Big 12 championship. During her Lady Bears career she has scored over 500 points and has a 45.8% field goal percentage. Sune also contributes greatly to our community, volunteering many hours with the youth and homeless. She has also traveled to Kenya and Zambia on mission trips through Baylor. She excels in her leadership and character, providing a strong spiritual figure for our camepus. Agbuke is invaluable to the Lady Bears team and we celebrate and appreciate all she has given the Lady Bears and our community.
Royce O'Neale, #00, transferred to Baylor in 2013 and has quickly become a leader. His excellence on the court is apparent, with his scoring of 560 points in just 2 years here at Baylor, 1,225 career points total. He's scored 46 3P this year alone, earning the nickname “Buckets" and played in every game last season. Often referred to as a “troubleshooter" O'Neale works well in many different scenarios and can be essential in any situation. His versatility is recognized by his coach and teammates and appreciated. Earning a spot on the Academic All Big-12 team this year for maintaining above a 3.0 GPA, O'Neale shows hard work off the court as well. He leads by example on the court, playing an unselfish game and putting his team before himself ultimately. He is an incredible asset to the Baylor team and will prove himself valuable in the upcoming March Madness tournament. O'Neale leaves behind a name synonymous with adaptability and resourcefulness and will be missed greatly next season.
Kenny Chery, #1, transferred at around the same time as Royce O'Neale did. Chery strengthened valuable training skills before coming to Baylor that allowed him to excel on the Baylor team. He has scored 501 points in his two years at Baylor and started most games this season. He lead the Big 12 conference in free throw percentage with an impressive .879. Chery's presence on court is undeniable and he is a consistent presence on the team. Chery is the front man on defense and proves himself each and every game he plays. Chery has earned everything he has achieved, and his hard work is shown every time he steps on court. Academically, Kenny Chery also earned a spot twice on the second team of the Academic All-Big 12 and left junior college with a 3.68 GPA. Kenny Chery will be surely missed next season and will likely have a great showing in the March Madness tournament. His dedication will take him far not only in sports, but in life.
Every year our Basketball team loses players, however it does not make this loss any less painful. Although we know they will be on to bigger and better things, there will definitely be a missing presence on the team in their absence. Sune Agbuke, Royce O'Neale and Kenny Chery are all elite players who have made their mark in Baylor history.
Farewell and Sic 'Em Bears!
