Baylor Basketball Targets 3 Key Transfers to Bolster Roster

Scott Drew looks to fill frontcourt and backcourt needs through the portal

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the abstracted, overlapping shapes of basketball players on a court, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of the game.Baylor's roster reboot through the transfer portal aims to build a well-rounded, versatile squad capable of competing for a Big 12 title.Plano Today

Baylor men's basketball coach Scott Drew has already made some key transfer portal additions this offseason, but is still targeting a few more players to round out the roster. The Bears are looking to add depth in the frontcourt and backcourt, as well as find more shooting threats to complement their returning core.

Why it matters

Baylor is coming off another strong season and will look to build on that momentum. Shoring up the roster through the transfer portal is crucial, as the Bears aim to compete for a Big 12 title and make a deep NCAA Tournament run next year.

The details

The three players Baylor is targeting are: Evan Chatman, a 6'8" power forward from UAB who averaged a double-double as a freshman; Gavin Sykes, a sharpshooting sophomore guard from Long Beach State who hit 38.7% of his threes; and Justin McBride, a versatile forward from James Madison who can provide frontcourt depth and perimeter scoring.

  • Chatman is set to visit Baylor on Monday, April 20th.
  • Sykes entered the transfer portal as a sophomore.

The players

Evan Chatman

A 6'8" power forward from UAB who averaged 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a freshman.

Gavin Sykes

A sophomore guard from Long Beach State who averaged 19.4 points per game and shot 38.7% from three-point range.

Justin McBride

A forward from James Madison who averaged 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.4% from the field.

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What’s next

Baylor will host Evan Chatman for a visit on Monday, April 20th as they look to secure his commitment.

The takeaway

Baylor is being proactive in the transfer portal, targeting players who can address specific needs on the roster and help the Bears contend for a Big 12 title and deep NCAA Tournament run next season.