Baylor’s Lual-Acuil scores 18 in front of his proud parents

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The video from Baylor athletics says it all.

Senior center Jo Lual-Acuil, Jr., running ahead of the competition on the fast break, fielding a pass and dunking.

Lual-Acuil punctuated a big day in his college basketball career with 18 points, as the 21st-ranked Bears ran away with a 99-68 victory Thursday night over the Texas Southern Tigers.

What was so big about a game in December? Well, for starters, his parents traveled from Africa to Waco to see him play.

According to ESPN, his parents made the trip to see their son play and to attend his graduation, which is scheduled Saturday.

For more on Lual-Acuil’s amazing story, here is an article authored by John Werner of the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Published in January last season, it’s a fascinating chronicle of Lual-Acuil’s journey from the Sudan, to Uganda, to Australia, to Chanute, Kansas, and, finally, to Waco.

Lual-Acuil is listed on the roster at 7-feet and 225 pounds.

After sitting out the 2015-16 season with a heart condition, the transfer from Neosho Community College (in Kansas) emerged last year as one of the top shot-blockers in the nation.

Lual-Acuil had 87 blocks in 35 games.

This year, his game is expanding. Both his scoring and rebounding numbers are up. Coming into the Texas Southern game, Lual-Acuil was averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.

After blocking two shots against the Tigers, he has produced 14 rejections in 10 games for the Bears (8-2).

Baylor, in a push to prepare for the start of Big 12 play later this month, hosts Savannah State at home on Sunday.

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