Baylor Basketball

Breaking: Baylor Adds Oregon State Forward Michael Rataj From Transfer Portal

Oregon State forward Michael Rataj has committed to Scott Drew and Baylor.
By Ashley Hodge
March 31, 2025
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25 Comments
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Photo by © Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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Oregon State forward Michael Rataj has committed to Scott Drew and Baylor; he becomes the second transfer portal addition for the Bears’ 2025 class, joining Tennessee wing Cameron Carr.

Rataj, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward, led Oregon State in scoring this past season with 16.9 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and 79% from the free-throw line. Rataj shot 35% from beyond the arc, making 33 of his 94 attempts. The First-Team All-WCC forward also averaged 7.2 rebounds, two assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Originally from Augsburg, Germany, Rataj has played in 87 games over his three years at Oregon State and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Why The Fit Looks Good

A 6-foot-9 stretch four is a great luxury in modern college basketball. Rataj can score it in a lot of ways. He’s tough in the paint and skilled with post-moves around the basket. He doesn’t get rushed. He’s an excellent rebounder, particularly on the defensive end. He gets to the foul line a lot with five attempts per game and shoots it at almost 80%. You can play him with another big man or use him as your small ball center.  

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Scott Drew Green & Gold Reports Transfer Portal Michael Rataj Basketball Baylor Oregon State 2025
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Breaking: Baylor Adds Oregon State Forward Michael Rataj From Transfer Portal

12,449 Views | 25 Replies | Last: 8 mo ago by Shifa
Bearsalwayswin
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12:32p, 3/31/25
let's go?
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ImABearToo
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12:32p, 3/31/25
6'9 is a nice size forward. More please!
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
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BUDOS
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12:36p, 3/31/25
Back to back selections which appear really good! I hope they have a high motor, work hard, stay healthy, hungry and play aggressive defense.
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Bear51
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12:42p, 3/31/25
Maybe another Jake Bridges!
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TXBEAR_bf
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12:47p, 3/31/25
Good read on him: https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/beavers-michael-rataj-he-is-a-fabulous-kid-to-be-around
Bear living in the woods of Bend Oregon
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TWD 1974
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In reply to Bear51 • 1:04p, 3/31/25
Bear51 said:
Maybe another Jake Bridges!
Jake? The rugby player?
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to TWD 1974 • 1:08p, 3/31/25
TWD 1974 said:
Bear51 said:
Maybe another Jake Bridges!
Jake? The rugby player?

Don't know about that - but maybe he could be like another Jalen Bridges……
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IowaBear
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1:23p, 3/31/25
I'm probably being too negative. It's just hard for me to get excited about one year rentals. That's all Bu seems to be closely associated with so far in the portal. The Omaha kid, the Wyoming kid are also 1 year rentals.
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Bearsalwayswin
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In reply to IowaBear • 1:24p, 3/31/25
i feel like this is a decent pickup though. understand the sentiment though and i hope most of the rest are multi years.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Bearsalwayswin • 1:25p, 3/31/25
Oh there's no doubt this is a good pickup. His film looks really good!
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Ewalker80
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1:32p, 3/31/25
Does he have a similar skill set to sochan?
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Crawfoso1973
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1:45p, 3/31/25
I like the 2.2 steals. That's a sign of hustle and defensive buy-in. Offense aside if he can give us the defense that Bridges gave us it will be a huge upgrade.
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Bear51
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1:46p, 3/31/25
Jalen Bridges
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TWD 1974
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In reply to Bear51 • 1:50p, 3/31/25
Bear51 said:
Jalen Bridges
Figured that was who you meant. If we wanted a rugby player, always thought Mark Vital had the look of a good one.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
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Ewalker80
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In reply to Bear51 • 2:27p, 3/31/25
Why do you say bridges over sochan? Seems to be a more prolific scorer, rebounder, and assist guy than bridges. Two inches taller and bigger. Sochan was more like 6 8 or 9 and was a great passer and more of a European style point forward player than a tall wing like bridges. I think he is a 4/5 like ormier instead of a 3/4 like bridges though of course he is perhaps a little in between
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TWD 1974
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In reply to Ewalker80 • 2:37p, 3/31/25
Ewalker80 said:
Why do you say bridges over sochan? Seems to be a more prolific scorer, rebounder, and assist guy than bridges. Two inches taller and bigger. Sochan was more like 6 8 or 9 and was a great passer and more of a European style point forward player than a tall wing like bridges. I think he is a 4/5 like ormier instead of a 3/4 like bridges though of course he is perhaps a little in between
I would take a Sochan and a Bridges, and a Macio or Heslip on the side please.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
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Big12Fan2024
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2:48p, 3/31/25
More big bodies like this, please!

Good signing. We have many spots to fill. Two-year or more transfers would be ideal, but like it or not we're gonna end up with a few one-and-done guys as well. Hopefully don't get too overbalanced with one-and-dones.


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whitetrash
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3:22p, 3/31/25
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BeauxBear
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In reply to BUDOS • 4:57p, 3/31/25
BUDOS said:
Back to back selections which appear really good! I hope they have a high motor, work hard, stay healthy, hungry and play aggressive defense.
THIS IS LOOKING GOOD!
BeauxBear. Old School BU Grad.
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boognish_bear
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5:06p, 3/31/25
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BearlyNose
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5:12p, 3/31/25
Where is the information on Cameron Carr?
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Big_Pumpin
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In reply to boognish_bear • 9:21p, 3/31/25
boognish_bear said:


Anyone concerned that his increase in production was due to the decrease in competition after the implosion of the PAC 12?
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Bearsalwayswin
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In reply to Big_Pumpin • 9:57p, 3/31/25
he put up numbers against gonzaga
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Shifa
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6:47p, 4/1/25
Quick question for those in the know. Met some "Bears" at our preseason baseball game and thought I'd ask on this forum.

Ok... so, we all know NIL info is full of hype and rumor. Individual deals are rarely revealed. But, OSU's announcer in Vegas stated Rataj was getting $1.5m from Baylor.

In asking and seeing the actual NIL #s posted on your athletic site that doesn't make sense. Especially since most schools funnel 70-75% toward football.

Michael is a great kid, maybe a good fit for your program, but... most hoops programs don't use $1.5m on a one and done Sr. Especially one that's not NBA caliber.

Osu can't afford 6 figures for a hoops player, let alone 7!

Thoughts. Thx in advance
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Shifa
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In reply to Big_Pumpin • 6:54p, 4/1/25
Long time OSU fan here. When landing a prospect, frosh or portal, it's always glass half full.

Michael is a great young man. Obviously a good college hooper. But, at 6'9" he's not overly athletic or strong. He did thrive vs lesser competition (just take a peek at OSU's SOS) and put up good numbers vs the Zags in one game. He can't guard athletic 4s. He's not a PF who will bang and get double digit boards. He's a stretch 4, and OSU never had him guard the best big on the floor.

I guess my earlier post was questioning if the NIL value mentioned here in Vegas was remotely accurate. And, if so, NIL deals are going to go crazy high!
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