2022 Record: 23-11 (11-7)
Head Coach: Scott Drew (Career Record 441-243) (Baylor Record 422-232)
Projected Rotation:
PG: RayJ Dennis (Toledo 19.5 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 5.8 Ast)
SG: Jayden Nunn (VCU 9.3 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 1.5 Ast)
SF: Jakobe Walter
PF: Jalen Bridges (10.3 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 1.0 Ast)
C: Jonathan Tchamwa-Tchachoua (5.1 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 0.5 Ast)
6: SG Langston Love (6.3 Pts, 2.2 Reb, 0.8 Ast)
7: PG Miro Little
8: C Josh Ojianwuna (4.2 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.2 Ast)
9: PG Dantwan Grimes (2021-22 Kilgore CC 14.1 Pts, 4.2 Reb, 3.2 Ast)
10: C Yves Missi
11: PF Caleb Lohner (3.2 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 0.3 Ast)
12: C Yanis Ndjonga (Injured)
Jalen Bridges is the leading returning scorer for Baylor this upcoming season. Bridges is an athletic forward who started all 34 games this past season shooting over 50% from the floor. Bridges is capable of shooting a better percentage from the three point line than he did last season. Also returning for Baylor this upcoming season is big man Jonathan Tchamwa-Tchachoua. He missed most of last season due to an injury, but he is an elite defender who make a huge impact on the game when he plays. He’s also a great finisher around the rim.
Another returner who is expected to see a big rise in minutes and production this upcoming season is guard Langston Love. He showed flashes as a freshman shooting 43% from the floor and 36% from three. Also returning for Baylor are big Josh Ojianwuna and Caleb Lohner. Ojianwuna played sparingly last season but was a great backup interior defender and also played well above the rim. He should see more time this season as the first big man off the bench. Lohner had a bit of a disappointing year as per the expectations. However, he showed flashes that he could be better for Baylor this upcoming season. He showed great athleticism and toughness during his 2 seasons with BYU.
Baylor took to the transfer portal this offseason where they were able to sign elite guards Jayden Nunn and RayJ Dennis. Nunn previously played for VCU and was an elite defender for the Rams. He fits perfectly in the Scott Drew system and is one of those players that can be just as good or better despite transferring up a level in terms of competition. Nunn also has an ability to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball where he can score from all three levels. RayJ Dennis is an elite overall basketball player. He was one of the most coveted transfers in the country this offseason. He scores the ball at an extremely high level averaging almost 20PPG for a very good Toledo team. He also rebounds very well for a guard and passes the ball at a high level without turning it over. He’s going to be a gem for Baylor this season.
The Bears also have Kilgore College transfer Dantwan Grimes who took a redshirt season last year. At the JUCO ranks, he averaged 14PPG and 3APG. He can be a nice piece off the bench for Baylor. Baylor also signed 4 freshman this offseason. The class was headlined by SG Jakobe Walter from Texas who was a unanimous Top 10 player according to 247sports. PG Miro Little who is from Finland and prepped at Sunrise Christian was ranked as the #41 player in the country. C Yves Missi was ranked as the #42 player in the country. Baylor also signed big man Yanis Ndjonga but he is expected to miss the 2023-24 season with a torn ACL. All of the available freshman figure to see a decent amount of minutes this season.
Baylor is going to be a very competitive team in the Big 12 this season. They landed 2 very talented players in the transfer portal to help fill the void for what they lost this offseason. The freshman recruiting class should also help Baylor a lot. Baylor is projected to finish 3rd in a loaded Big 12 this season. They should lock up a Top 4 seed in March and have a decent chance to make a bit of a run.