Over the past decade or so, the Big 12 has established itself as one of the country’s premier men’s college basketball conferences.
Schools like the Kansas Jayhawks, Iowa State Cyclones, and Baylor Bears have made deep NCAA Tournament runs annually and won regular-season games.
The Big 12 will be even better going forward, as the conference added the Arizona Wildcats, Houston Cougars, Brigham Young Cougars, Utah Utes, and several other schools in the past two years.
Despite the additions, it seems like Scott Drew and Baylor will still be sure to be near the top. That became clear again on Wednesday when the Bears nabbed a commitment from 2025 five-star small forward Tounde Yessoufou, per ESPN.
“Honestly, it felt like home. It’s a small, tight-knit community where everyone genuinely cares for each other. I can focus on myself and my goals without distractions, and their strong faith in God really stood out to me,” Yessoufou told ESPN after he committed.
The California native chose the Bears over local schools such as Arizona State or USC, citing a desire to play for Scott Drew and bring another championship to Baylor, who won the NCAA Championship in 2021.
“I selected Scott Drew because he seems authentic. While other schools had their merits, I trust my instincts, and his track record speaks for itself. He’s been at Baylor for over 23 years, which means a lot to me. He knows what it takes to be a winner and a champion. Watching their practice showed me how much trust he has in his players, pushing them to reach their full potential,” he told ESPN regarding the three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year.
Yessoufou averaged 21.8 points per game in July’s Nike Peach Jam Tournament.
[ESPN]
