NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 team finalists for 2023 5-star guard Ja’Kobe Walter

Baylor Bears

The Bears’ roster depth was showcased in a big way last season coming off their 2020-21 title. Aside from integrating Arizona guard transfer James Akinjo into the rotation, head coach Scott Drew was able to reload his juggernaut roster via development and high-end recruiting to reach 27 wins. Unfortunately, they were upended by the underdog buzz-saw North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament in March.

Baylor has been an incredibly balanced roster from a production standpoint over the last several seasons, despite top-end turnover in the rotation. Akinjo, as well as freshman Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan, are all departing for the NBA Draft, while versatile frontcourt piece Matthew Mayer has entered the transfer portal while exploring the NBA Draft process. Brown and Mayer can return to the program should they choose, but the former is unlikely to given his draft stock.

The situation doesn’t leave the Bears’ talent cupboard bare, but rather the program is simply reloading with 5-star guard Keyonte George and transfers Caleb Lohner (BYU) and Jalen Bridges (West Virginia). Even with the program’s sustainability and player development, seven players since 2006-07’ have been able to average 9+ PPG as a freshman with the team.

George next season should increase that total, but the trend stands that top-end talent arriving in Waco find ways to become immediate contributors on the floor regardless. Walter adding his name to the list for a program now among the nation’s elite on a yearly basis would only elevate his stock towards the NBA.