Big 12 Basketball: Top 15 impact players from 2020 recruiting class

10. Baylor Bears: Dain Dainja

Let me be the first to say what will undoubtedly be a running joke among the coaching staff, announcers, and anybody who loves Baylor Basketball, “If Loveday could just give Dainja two inches and Dainja give Loveday 20 pounds they would make the perfect pair”.  Currently, Dainja weighs 230 pounds on rivals.com, 260 pounds on 247sports and according to the high school announcers he is at 270.  The last game I saw, I would say closer to 260.

I would also say, that at 6’9 he may be one of the shorter centers in the nation, but he will not be able to guard at the power forward position. With Dainja on the court, his high school team, Park Center would play a zone with Dianja usually playing in the middle. Being 6’9 is not helped by the fact that he does not have much lift off the court, but is extremely effective when he gets the ball around the basket.

The number 65 ranked player will be more effective than Loveday on the high screen and roll or when sinking to the post as the ball is reversed, thanks to his ability to score with his back to the basket. In addition, once he faces up he can drive to the basket and can be trusted to make a proper pass. At 6’9 and 245, senior Freddie Gillespie averaged over nine points and nine rebounds.  The only thing keeping Dainja off the court will be his endurance, but when he has fresh legs he will be a danger for opponents.