Baylor Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for Bears

Key Reserves

Guard – Dale Bonner (Senior)

Bonner provides depth in the backcourt, having played decent minutes last year after previously starring at Fairmont State. Last year was a bit of a struggle, as Bonner averaged just 3.1 points a game and shot poorly from beyond the arc, but the Bears are banking on a bounce-back season as he’s now adjusted to D1 hoops.

Guard/Forward – Jordan Turner (Junior)

There haven’t been many opportunities for Turner in his first two seasons, but he’s a versatile player who could work himself into important minutes off the bench. He shot a decent clip from long range as a freshman, but at 6’8 might find himself playing more in the frontcourt this season.

Guard – Dantwan Grimes (Junior)

Grimes comes to Baylor after two seasons at Kilgore College, developing into a prominent role in the backcourt at the junior college level. He’s not a huge presence on the court, but he provides solid depth in the backcourt, racking up decent steals and assists numbers last season while also shooting the ball at a decent clip.

Guard – Langston Love (Freshman)

One of the top 30 prospects in the class of 2021, Love was expected to be an impact presence last year but missed the season with a torn ACL. Now a redshirt freshman, he’s hoping that lost season helped him develop some of these skills, though he’s already an impressive scorer who can make shots from nearly anywhere on the court.

Center – Josh Ojianwuna (Freshman)

A four-star big man from Nigeria, Ojianwuna is a rather raw prospect who stands tall but likely has a bit of development before he can become a major force in the Big 12. He’s big and he’s a load down low who’s going to bring energy and effort, though his offensive game is still coming together.

Forward – Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (Senior)

Tchamwa Tchatchoua was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and is a force for these Bears. Unfortunately, a significant knee injury knocked him out last February and will prevent him from playing early this upcoming season. When he gets back on the court, expect more brilliance from the stud who averaged 8.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and was an asset on both offense and defense.

Forward – Zach Loveday (Junior)

Standing tall at 7’0, there’s definitely a chance for Loveday to see increased minutes for the Bears after barely playing his first two seasons. There’s a lot of potential for Loveday here, especially before Tchamwa Tchatchoua returns from injury, but we’ll have to see if he can take that step forward.

Forward – Caleb Lohner (Junior)

Lohner spent his first two seasons at BYU, averaging around 7 points and 7 rebounds a game in each of those seasons with the Cougars. The Bears are hoping that he develops into a key piece in the rotation, likely spending significant time at the 4, and perhaps directly replacing what someone like Jeremy Sochan did for this team last season.