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NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 5 early contenders for transfer forward Grant Nelson

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 8, 2022; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) drives against South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Alex Arians (34) in the second half at Denny Sanford Premier Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2022; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Grant Nelson (4) drives against South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Alex Arians (34) in the second half at Denny Sanford Premier Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas State Wildcats forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin (35) and Baylor Bears forward Jalen Bridges Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State Wildcats forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin (35) and Baylor Bears forward Jalen Bridges Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

Baylor Bears

The month of June has already been good for the program. They landed RayJ Dennis, the transfer from Toledo that was the reigning MAC Player of the Year this past season. He replaced Adam Flagler, who was officially gone from the team as he stayed in the NBA Draft. So the backcourt is in good shape.

The frontcourt was maintained with the news that Jalen Bridges, who averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.6 rpg, is also coming back for an extra season. That just leaves the center position as one that can still be improved on. Flo Thamba has moved on, while Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury.

Josh Ojianwuna produced 4.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 13 mpg off the bench and could be the starter, while top-50 forward Yves Missi reclassified to play next season. But does Baylor want either of those guys to get extended minutes at the five-spot? And remember, the backcourt is more of a question in 2023-24 than it was this past season, with all three 15+ ppg scorers now gone.

Nelson is a former all-defensive player and he has the size to play in the Big 12. And even if he isn’t an elite athlete, there aren’t too many bigs in that league that can take him off the dribble. A frontcourt duo of Bridges and Nelson would be one of the best in the league and allow the Bears to play inside-out, taking the pressure off of the new backcourt.

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