Baylor’s 2026-27 roster is full of fresh faces, but the transfer who may matter most isn’t the one drawing the loudest buzz.
That distinction belongs to Evan Chatman, a 6-8 forward from Harker Heights, Texas, who arrives in Waco after a winding path that began in JUCO and took him through McLennan Community College before last season’s stop at UAB. At UAB, Chatman became a real factor in the frontcourt, averaging 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds during a 21-win season. For a Baylor team trying to rebuild after last year’s disappointment, that kind of steady production is exactly why he stands out.
The Bears had a rough run in 2024-25. Scott Drew’s group had to replace the entire roster, and the new collection never quite fit together. Baylor finished tied for 13th in the Big 12 and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
This offseason brought more turnover, but also more hope. Cameron Carr was drafted last week, and Baylor also moved on from senior pieces like Obi Agbim and Michael Rataj. The program did keep Isaac Williams, who averaged 10.4 points per game as a sophomore, and it will finally have 7-footer Juslin Bodo Bodo available after he missed last season with injury.
The incoming talent is part of what makes the Bears interesting. Five-star point guard Dylan Mingo is expected to take on a huge backcourt role, while his brother Kayden joins after a strong freshman season at Penn State. Baylor also added Elijah Williams, a 4-star small forward from Arizona, plus rising juniors Isaac Celiscar and Brett Decker, who were double-digit scorers last season at Yale and Liberty.
Still, the biggest questions sit up front, and that’s where Chatman’s value spikes. Bodo Bodo has the tools to become an elite rim protector, but Baylor hasn’t seen him in over a year. Maikcol Perez and Mayo Soyoye are both set to make their collegiate debuts, and there’s no real way to know what they’ll give the Bears right away.
Chatman is the only experienced option ready to slide into a major role at the 4. That makes him more than just another transfer. Whether he ends up as a starter or a key depth piece, Baylor needs his rebounding and reliability in a Big 12 frontcourt that still has plenty to prove.
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