Tounde Yessoufou Earns Second Big 12 Honor After Another Explosive Weekend for Baylor
Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou is starting to make a habit of turning heads-and filling up box scores. The dynamic guard was named to the Big 12 Starting Five for the second time this season, following another standout stretch that helped the Bears reach rare offensive heights.
Yessoufou’s latest honor comes on the heels of a weekend where Baylor became just the second team in Big 12 history to hang 110-plus points in back-to-back games. And the freshman wasn’t just along for the ride-he was driving the bus. Over two games, Yessoufou averaged 22.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, showing off a scoring touch and all-around impact that’s becoming his calling card.
His performance against Southern on Sunday was his best yet. Yessoufou dropped a career-high 28 points and dished out a personal-best six assists, putting his fingerprints all over Baylor’s 111-67 win. It was a clinic in offensive efficiency and unselfish play, with the freshman flashing both scoring prowess and playmaking chops.
And it wasn’t just a one-game wonder. Yessoufou also delivered in Baylor’s 113-56 rout of Alcorn State earlier in the weekend, helping the Bears post the highest point total in Foster Pavilion since the building opened back in January 2024.
Across both games, he reached double figures in scoring, extending his streak to 11 straight games with 10 or more points to start his college career. That ties him for sixth among active Big 12 players for most consecutive double-digit scoring games to begin a career-a testament to his consistency as much as his talent.
Yessoufou also played a key role in Baylor’s explosive second half against Southern, when the Bears poured in 71 points-the most by the program in a single half since 1970. It was the kind of offensive outburst that doesn’t happen without multiple guys clicking, but Yessoufou’s fingerprints were all over the run. Whether he was finishing in transition, knocking down jumpers, or creating for teammates, the freshman was in complete control.
A native of Cotonou, Benin, Yessoufou has quickly established himself as one of the most impactful newcomers in the Big 12. His blend of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking has added another gear to a Baylor offense that’s already firing on all cylinders.
This latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Yessoufou in what’s shaping up to be a breakout freshman campaign. He was previously named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 8 and was included on the Preseason Julius Erving Watch List-an early nod to his potential as one of the nation’s top small forwards.
Yessoufou joins a talented group in this week’s Big 12 Starting Five, which also features AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Kingston Flemings (Houston), and Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson and LeJuan Watts.
As for Baylor, they’ve now had multiple players earn conference honors this season. Cameron Carr was named to the Big 12 Starting Five earlier this month, while Michael Rataj landed on the Preseason Karl Malone Watch List.
But right now, the spotlight belongs to Yessoufou-and if the first 11 games are any indication, he’s just getting warmed up.