Braxton Bayless is heading a little closer to home.
The former Ankeny basketball star announced earlier this week that he will play his final collegiate season at Little Rock, which is coached by former NBA player Darrell Walker, who previously coached the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
“I’m excited to be around a coaching staff with NBA connections and trying to help me get to the next level as much as possible while being on a team that could win a conference championship,” said Bayless.
Bayless played this season at Western Kentucky, where he helped the Hilltoppers to a 17-15 record. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Bayless was granted a sixth year of eligibility because he played his first two seasons at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa. He then spent two years at Niagara before reuniting with former Indian Hills coach Hank Plona at Western Kentucky.
Bayless decided to enter the transfer portal after Western Kentucky ended its season with a 64-61 loss to FIU in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament. He had 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in his final game with the Hilltoppers.
Bayless received interest from numerous schools, including New Mexico State, New Mexico, Tulane, Belmont, Cal State Fullerton, Fairfield and Charlotte.
“It definitely helped (to have been in the portal before),” he said.