Scott Drew has demonstrated remarkable skill in leveraging the transfer portal to build a competitive roster for next season. Among his most notable acquisitions is Kayden Mingo, who is expected to make a significant impact on the Baylor basketball team. There’s also hope that Mingo’s brother, Dylan, might follow in his footsteps and join the program as well.
As the Bears’ team begins to take shape, there are still areas that need improvement. The frontcourt currently lacks depth, and the guard positions could use more players to add variety and strength. Additionally, having more reliable shooters is always beneficial. However, there is ample time to address these issues and continue building a formidable squad.
Scott Drew and his coaching staff have already laid a strong foundation for next season, and they are likely to remain active participants in the transfer portal. Here are three players that could be viable targets for the Baylor basketball team:
Evan Chatman – Power Forward
Evan Chatman delivered impressive numbers during his first season at UAB, averaging 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. His performance has drawn the attention of several high-major programs, and he is scheduled to visit Baylor on Monday, April 20th.
Hailing from a small town in Texas, Chatman would be just under an hour away from home in Waco. The expectation is that he will serve as a rebounding force and a key player when the Bears need to dominate inside. Standing at 6’8″ and weighing 220 pounds, he would complement Juslin Bodo Bodo, who is set to start at center. Chatman’s physical presence would help fill the paint and provide much-needed size.
Gavin Sykes – Shooting Guard
Gavin Sykes would be an ideal fit for the Baylor roster. During his time at Long Beach, he averaged 19.4 points per game and shot 38.7% from beyond the arc. This makes him another shooting threat on an already potent offense.
As a sophomore entering the transfer portal, Sykes is looking to play for a major school and potentially earn some income. He is expected to start on the bench, backing up Brett Decker Jr. and Isaac Williams. However, if he can maintain his scoring average with the Bears, he could earn significant playing time.
Justin McBride – Forward
Justin McBride shares a similar physical frame with Evan Chatman but plays a different style of basketball. While he averages fewer rebounds (5.6 per game), he is a sharp shooter, averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting 49.4% from the field.
McBride is also a Texas native, having left Plano to begin his college career at Oklahoma State before transferring to Nevada and then to JMU. At JMU, he played 27 minutes per game and had 11 separate 20+ point games. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting could provide the Bears with much-needed depth in the frontcourt.
These three players represent potential additions that could strengthen the Baylor basketball team as they continue to build their roster for the upcoming season.
