Baylor's Jeremy Roach talks NBA Draft ahead of NCAA Tournament, partnership with Raid

Jeremy Roach is gearing up for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as the Baylor Bears will take on Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first round on Friday, Mar. 21. But once the tournament is over for Baylor, how will Roach get ready for the 2025 NBA Draft? On3 recently spoke to Roach and asked him about his NBA Draft preparations.

“Right now, I’m just worried about what we’re doing in March,” Jeremy Roach told On3. “I’m not really worried about the future, whatever that holds, that’s in God’s hands right now. But right now, we have an opportunity to win the national championship, so definitely don’t want to take that for granted. And it’s my last year in NCAA, so making that one count is a big thing. So, not really worrying too much about the future right now, just trying to stay present as much as I can, stay in the moment, and just be grateful for all the opportunities that have been placed in front of me.”

A run in the NCAA Tournament could help Roach’s chances of being selected high in the draft. He transferred to Baylor this season after spending the last four years at Duke. Before Roach joined Baylor, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after being named to the All-ACC Third Team. However, Roach also entered the transfer portal and ultimately decided to play one more season in college.

Can Jeremy Roach lead Baylor to a NCAA Championship?

Jeremy Roach has a lot of NCAA Tournament experience because of his experience at Duke. Can he help a strong Baylor team win its second title in five seasons?

“I think just taking it one game at a time, that’s the biggest thing,” Roach said when asked about Baylor’s keys to winning it all. “Can’t worry about who we play next or anything else, because right now, and March is a one-game season, if you lose, you go home. So, I think coming out, being the aggressors, and not being timid, or not being conservative, I think coming into March Madness, you want to punch guys in the face first, especially that first four minutes of the game, set that tone, and really dictating the pace. I think that’s the biggest thing. But really just staying together.”

Jeremy Roach featured in a new Raid commercial

As Roach gets ready to help Baylor make a title run, he used his name for an NIL deal. The 23-year-old has a partnership with Raid and is featured in a commercial with Baylor women’s basketball star Darianna Littlepage-Buggs. This is the second consecutive year Roach has partnered with Raid.

“I just seen how special it was the first year, shout out to Raid for everything that they’ve done for me,” Roach said. “Just seeing how special it went the first year, and then obviously I got the opportunity the second year, so it was definitely a no-brainer, keeping the name in-house. If I can use my last name for a partnership, I’m always going to do it, I feel like I’m the best fit for it.

Roach also talked about filming the commercial with Littlepage-Buggs. “It was super exciting just to see the whole setup and the location that we’re at,” Roach stated. “So, like I said, I think this year we’re stepping up and making the content a little bit funny, and we’re taking it a little bit further.”