Deuce Bello transfer: High-flying ex-Baylor wing picks Missouri

Baylor transfer Deuce Bello has decided that he’ll continue his career with the Mizzou Tigers, as the athletic wing has reportedly pledged to Frank Haith for his final two years of college eligibility:

Bello, a 6’4 guard with unbelievable leaping and dunking ability, never really showed his full value with Baylor. A four-star recruit ranked No. 54 amongst all players in the class of 2011 by Rivals, he was supposed to be as important as high school teammate Quincy Miller to the Bears’ eventual success. But he topped out at about 10 minutes a game, scoring just 2.8 points per game across two seasons. With more guard depth coming in for Scott Drew, it seemed time to move on.

Mizzou seems like a good fit. Bello won’t be able to play this upcoming season due to transfer restrictions, but when he does, a rebuilding Tigers squad will need all the help they can get. With Phil Pressey declaring for the NBA Draft as a junior, Mizzou loses four of its top five scorers from last season, including both starting guards, Pressey and Keion Bell.

Nobody questions the raw athletic talent Bello brings, but his game lacks finesse and he has yet to show any semblance of shooting ability. Frank Haith has done a good job with transfers -- this past season, he got strong production out of Oregon transfer Jabari Brown, Auburn transfer Earnest Ross, UConn transfer Alex Oriakhi, Pepperdine transfer Bell, and reserve production from UAB transfer Tony Criswell. Bello appears to be his next project, and the tools are there.