Baylor MBB: Top Returning Players For 2024-2025

As No. 8 Baylor MBB’s season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, against No. 6 Gonzaga inches closer, it's time to start breaking down the roster, plus the biggest storylines and questions heading into the 2024-2025 season. 

Today, with a bit of help from hoops experts Ashley Hodge and Kendall Kaut, we’ll assess the best-returning players from last year’s roster.

Jayden Nunn (Sr.): (35 GP, 28.6 MIN, 10.5 PTS, 2.6 REB, 2.0 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.4 TO, 45.5 FG%, 43.9 3P%, 70.9 FT%)

• Hodge: “I expect Jayden to be a high-energy guy on both ends. This team needs the guards to be menaces on the perimeter, creating havoc with quickness and ball pressure. Jayden has to be one of the leaders in this area.”
• Kaut: “His 3-point percentage last year leads to hope that he can take more triples this season to assist with spacing. His off-ball defense needs to improve, as he was a fantastic on-ball defender, frequently taking tougher assignments over for RayJ Dennis. He seemingly has another gear he can hit after he showed his skills as a dribbler and dish-off artist in the paint.”

In February, VCU transfer guard Jayden Nunn (Sr.) started to find his confidence and come into his own on the offensive end of the floor for the Bears. 

He scored at least eight points in 10 of the final 11 conference games, averaging 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game during that stretch. He had a season-high 27 points in a 79-62 win over No. 25 Oklahoma on Feb. 13.

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Jayden Nunn (Sr.) averaged 13.6 points per game over the final 11 games in conference play.

Despite being an excellent shooter, Nunn arguably didn’t take enough shots last year because he was often asked to run the offense when senior point guard RayJ Dennis was off the floor.

He was second on the team in 3-point percentage (43.9%) but was fourth in 3-point attempts (114) behind Dennis (119), Jalen Bridges (177) and Ja’Kobe Walter (220).

With Duke transfer Jeremy Roach (5Sr.) and Robert Wright III (Fr.) manning the point guard position most of the time this season, Nunn should have many more opportunities for open jumpers beyond the arc. If he’s occasionally asked to run the point, Nunn showed last year that he’s capable.

“Jeremy and Rob are both great guards, and they help me compete every day and become a better version of myself,” Nunn told the media in late September. “All three of us compete at a high level. It’s fun, for sure. Jeremy is a veteran and has been to a Final Four, which is where I also want to be.”

Defensively, Nunn was second on the team in steals per game (1.3) and was one of the few Baylor defenders who could create chaos on the perimeter. With better defenders surrounding him this year, he should excel in locking opposing players up.

Langston Love (RJr.): (24 GP, 24.8 MIN, 11.0 PTS, 2.9 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.4 STL, 1.0 TO, 46.5 FG%, 48.0 3P%, 78.3 FT%)

• Hodge: “We all want an injury-free season for Love. He should be good to go for Gonzaga. I expect some rust early since he missed the summer, but hopefully, he hits his stride in November and can give the team an important offensive weapon and strong defender.”
• Kaut: “No question looms over his season beyond: Can he finally stay healthy? His injuries feel freaky, an eye problem plus a host of other injuries. His 3-point shooting and ability to score in isolation make him quite valuable. He helps Baylor as he can play the two, three or four. If Baylor wants to make it to the final weekend, Love almost assuredly has to stay healthy. ”

When conference play rolled around last January, Langston Love (RJr.) looked like the front-runner for Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. He was incredible in that opening month, scoring in double figures for seven consecutive games, including a career-high 24-point barrage in a 77-69 road win against UCF on Jan. 31. 

Unfortunately, injuries derailed the second half of the season for Love, an all-too-familiar storyline so far in his Baylor career. He missed the entire 2021-2022 season with a torn ACL and has logged just 27 total minutes in March due to varying injuries over the last two years.

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Langston Love (RJr.) was a frontrunner for Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year before struggling with injuries over the final month and a half of the season.

To ensure Love peaks at the right time this season, head coach Scott Drew has been cautious in bringing him back to full speed, limiting him in practice and keeping him from participating against Grand Canyon in the scrimmage last weekend.

“My recovery is going great,” Love told the media in late September. “I have the right people around me doing the right stuff for me. We’re taking a good approach this year with my recovery, the organization of doing things and my schedule. It’s going to be a great year.”

If Love can stay on the floor this season, he will be one of the best players in the conference and will raise Baylor’s ceiling even further. He gives the Bears toughness on the perimeter, can get to the paint for easy shots and is a dead-eye shooter when given space; he attempted 75 3-pointers last season and shot at a team-high 48% clip.