NCAA Basketball: Ranking the top 25 team backcourts for 2022-23 season

There isn’t James Akinjo or Kendall Brown around anymore but the Bears have plenty of returning talent, assuming everyone is healthy. Junior guard Adam Flagler led the team with 13.8 ppg scoring last season, including back-to-back games of 22 points, 29 in overtime at Oklahoma State, and 27 in the season finale loss to North Carolina.

LJ Cryer was limited to just 19 games last season due to injuries and was Baylor’s 6th Man. He averaged 13.5 ppg, while shooting 47% from three-point range. The 6’1 combo guard had three 20+ point games in the first four games and looked like an All-American early on. If he can stay healthy next season, Cryer could be the Bears’ leading scorer next season.

Or it could be Keyonte George, a five-star incoming freshman who is generating a lot of buzz this offseason. The 6’5 scoring wing is a potential NBA Draft lottery pick and is a high-volume offensive threat from anywhere on the court.

Baylor also gets back Langston Love, a former top-30 guard prospect who missed all of last year with an injury. He’s someone that the team expects a lot from and will only add to the impressive depth they have. Plus, former D-II star Dale Bonner is back for depth, along with incoming Junior College transfer Dantwan Grimes.

With so many that are capable of scoring 20+ and shoot 40% or better from deep, Baylor’s collection of guards had to get a high spot on this list. And if George is as good as advertised, they may be on their way to another national title.