Baylor Loses Potential Lottery Pick to NBA Draft

Star wing Cameron Carr announces he will forgo final college season to enter 2026 NBA Draft.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:58am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in mid-jump shot, with their body and movement broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a color palette of navy, orange, and green.Baylor's star wing Cameron Carr's decision to forgo his final college season and enter the NBA Draft leaves a major hole in the Bears' lineup.Waco Today

Baylor basketball is losing one of its top players, as star wing Cameron Carr has announced he will enter the 2026 NBA Draft after an impressive junior season. Carr, who spent his first two college years at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor, averaged 18.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Bears in 2025-26 despite the team's disappointing season.

Why it matters

Carr's departure is a major blow for a Baylor program that has struggled to recapture the success of its 2021 national championship team. The Bears failed to make the NCAA Tournament this past season, and now they'll have to replace their best offensive player as they look to bounce back in 2026-27.

The details

Carr started 34 games for Baylor last season, playing nearly 34 minutes per game. He shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range, showcasing the scoring ability that has NBA teams intrigued. While Carr has some areas to improve, such as shot selection and defense, his combination of size, skill, and scoring prowess has him projected as a late lottery or mid-first round pick in the upcoming draft.

  • Carr announced his decision to enter the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Cameron Carr

A star wing player who spent his first two college seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor, where he emerged as the Bears' top offensive threat in 2025-26.

Baylor Bears

The men's basketball team at Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas. The Bears won the national championship in 2021 but have struggled in the years since, failing to make the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26.

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What they’re saying

“Carr is a tough shot taker and a tough shot maker, making those shooting percentages very impressive considering his willingness to fire with a hand in his face. That type of scoring ability will translate to the NBA and there will be plenty of teams that would love to have Carr off the bench next season.”

— Jonathan Givony, NBA Draft Analyst

The takeaway

Carr's decision to turn pro is a significant setback for Baylor, which must now find a way to replace its top offensive weapon as it looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. The Bears will need to quickly reload if they hope to return to the NCAA Tournament and compete for another Big 12 title.