Raegyn Conley has all the attributes a major college basketball program could want.
The Baylor junior standout has a unique set of skills - the size and strength to back a defender down and athleticism to weave her way to the basket - that have made her a prized prospect.
Wake Forest intends to make full use of Conley's skills in the near future.
Conley announced her commitment to the Demon Deacons of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and the Atlantic Coast Conference via Twitter on Sunday night. The versatile 6-foot wing was also on the Southeastern Conference's radar, receiving interest from Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor's Raegyn Conley (11) starred for the Lady Red Raiders as a junior during the 2019-20 season, averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, two steals and two blocks per game to help the program reach the TSSAA Division II-AA semifinals."To finally commit to play Division I basketball is so exciting," said Conley, who had received offers from in-state programs including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Belmont and Middle Tennessee State University. "I have been waiting on this for a long time, and it's nice to finally know where I am going and get to focus on this one place. I love how close the Wake Forest basketball program is."
Conley showed an ability to be a dominant scorer right away in the 2019-20 season. In the Lady Red Raiders' opener against Bradley Central - the previous season's Class AAA state champion - Conley rarely missed in a 27-point performance. She also provided nearly half of Baylor's points in a 44-42 loss to Signal Mountain in the Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament title game in early January.
Baylor's 24-6 finish was the program's winningest season in the 21st century and included a trip to the Division II-AA state semifinals. The Lady Raiders won 23 games and were state runners-up in 2016.
Staff photo / Baylor's Raegyn Conley dribbles downcourt during the Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament title game against Signal Mountain on Jan. 4 at Chattanooga State. Conley scored almost half of the Lady Red Raiders' points in a 44-42 loss, finishing with 20, including a trio of 3-pointers.Conley shot 51% from the field, 39% from 3-point range and 80% from the foul line as a junior, averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, two steals and two blocks per game. She was a state Miss Basketball finalist and the DII-AA East Region MVP.
"I worked hard to get back to where I needed to be after tearing my meniscus last season," Conley said. "My biggest inspiration through the whole process has been my family. They all work hard and push me to be the best I can be."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.