Baylor basketball secured a notable victory in the transfer portal with the acquisition of a skilled guard from a Big 12 rival. The Bears recently concluded a challenging season, finishing 22nd under head coach Scott Drew, who has established high expectations during his tenure in Waco. Nonetheless, this past season, the team managed to achieve an NCAA Tournament win, marking their sixth consecutive appearance, before falling to Duke in the second round. Currently, the Bears are navigating a tumultuous offseason marked by the departure of several key players.
Fortunately, the program received encouraging news on Tuesday. According to Sam Kayser, a College Basketball Recruiting Analyst from League Ready, Cincinnati transfer guard Dan Skillings has decided to join Baylor basketball. Skillings spent three years with the Bearcats, averaging 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this past season.
Baylor basketball aims to ascend the Big 12 standings once more
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 215 pounds, Skillings will be a valuable addition as the Bears reshape a roster that has lost its entire backcourt. His defensive versatility will be particularly advantageous following the departure of freshman standout VJ Edgecombe to the NBA Draft. Additionally, seniors like Jeremy Roach and Norchad Omier have completed their eligibility, while Langston Love, Robert Wright III, and Jalen Celestine have entered the transfer portal.
Next season, the Bears will field a nearly entirely new roster within a Big 12 conference that seems to be coalescing around a dominant force—this time it’s Houston, not Kansas. The Cougars are fresh off back-to-back Big 12 championships and show no signs of slowing down. Baylor has typically enjoyed the role of contender and will need to reposition itself to climb back up the conference hierarchy.
Scott Drew has successfully navigated these situations in the past, leading the Bears to their inaugural Final Four appearance and National Championship in 2022. That squad was an exceptional powerhouse and one of the finest teams of the last century. The success of that team largely hinged on its senior guards, who joined through the transfer portal. Drew has the experience and reputation to attract top-tier players to the program. In addition to Skillings, there have already been a few other new arrivals at Baylor, but there remains much work ahead.
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