MaCio Teague only has a few hours of sunlight when he wakes up for practice in Poland. By the time he leaves the gym after the day’s drills, the sun has often already set. It’s a tough situation during the fall and winter months, but the 2021 Baylor grad, pro player, and Cincinnati sports leader is no stranger to hard work.
“I went to school in Texas and the sun shines all the time. In Germany and Poland, from November to mid-March, the sun goes down at like 3:30 PM,” Teague said. “For half the day, you’re in the gym while the sun’s out, so you’re not getting a chance to see the sun. And that’s kind of hard.”
Although a Cincinnati native, Teague remains a lifelong Baylor Bear. His tenure at the university began in 2018 after transferring from the University of North Carolina at Asheville as an incoming sophomore. After sitting out the following season per NCAA transfer regulations, Teague finally took to the court for his Baylor debut on November 5, 2019. Teague’s 18 points and 10 rebounds helped secure the Bears’ 105-61 win over Central Arkansas.
The accomplishments only continued from there. During a winning game against Oklahoma State the following season, Teague netted a junior season-high 24 points that included six back-to-back free throws in the final 14 seconds. Even without a championship win that season, he ended up averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in a team-high 32.6 minutes per game while helping reach a 26-4 record. Teague’s talent ultimately led to being named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, as well as receiving a unanimous Big 12 All-Newcomer Team selection.
It was Teague’s senior year, however, that truly became one of the team’s all-time great seasons. After entering as a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament, it all culminated in a championship victory over Gonzaga University with a final season record of 28-2. Teague averaged nearly 15 points per game during the tournament, including 19 points in the final match-up.
Following graduation, Teague’s professional career led him briefly to the Utah Jazz before ultimately signing to Germany’s highest professional club league in 2022. After a season playing with Baskets Oldenburg of the Basketball Bundesliga, Teague spent time with the Polish Basketball League’s Czarni Słupsk before signing to Śląsk Wrocław on February 10, 2025. As he geared up for the next season with Wrocław, Teague reflected on how he is adjusting to life overseas.
“I was kind of afraid. I didn’t know what to expect,” he said of his initial decision to play overseas. “There was a lot of anxiety built-up. I still get anxiety to this day when I sign my contracts.”
And then there was the daylight — or, rather, the lack of it.
“It was messing with my mood, but I didn’t realize it at the time,” he said. “Now I know after my second year here, I have to get out of the house. Even if it’s just going to a restaurant, I just have to go get involved with more stuff.”
His need to maintain momentum is understandable. Back home in the U.S., he remains as busy as ever, particularly when he is focused on expanding his charity work through the MaCio Teague Foundation. Founded in 2023, the organization began after a summer basketball clinic hosted by Teague back in Cincinnati.
“It’s basically just me trying to get inner city schools and less privileged kids more funding for resources,” said Teague, adding that the future plans include scholarships for the basketball camp along with a back-to-school jamboree with free supplies for students in need.
Making sure kids are equipped for their school year hits especially close to home for Teague. He recalls visiting his sister, an elementary teacher, in January 2024 and seeing her children line up to leave at the end of the day.
“She was getting the kids ready to go after school. I told her, ‘Hey, one of your students doesn’t have a coat on.’ And she said, ‘Yeah, because he doesn’t have one,’” he remembered.
The situation worried Teague, especially for the time of year.
“I kid you not, there was so much snow on the ground that the snow was packed in. It had to be 25 degrees outside,” he said.
Looking back on his time at Baylor, however, Teague knows what made it so memorable — but it may not be what you think.
“I think most people expect me to say the most special thing at Baylor for me was winning the NCAA tournament, and yeah, that was a big part,” he said. “But to be honest, man, I have so many friends that came from Baylor. I’m still in contact with all the coaches.”
Teague holds up his phone and smiles.
“Actually, I just texted Jared Butler yesterday,” he explained, referring to the Baylor alumnus and former Philadelphia 76ers point guard. “Jared, Davion (Mitchell), (Adam) Flagler. … I have real relationships with these people, and I think they’ll be in my life until I die, to be honest with you.”
Looking forward, Teague plans to continue playing professional basketball for as long as possible — be it overseas or back in the U.S. After that, however, he already has some ideas.
“Maybe I’ll get into coaching. I’ll have to call one of these coaches. Maybe I’ll call Scott Drew,” he said with a laugh. “I go back there every single summer. I love Baylor. I’m really invested in the program. The University really means a lot to me. I packed, like, seven Baylor shirts before coming here.”
