Baylor’s Drew lands another 5-star in Yessoufou

• Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Author Basketball recruiting expert. Signed up with ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of training experience at Division I

  level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Oct 2, 2024, 11:09 PM ET

• Five-star small forward Tounde Yessoufou devoted to Baylor on Wednesday, offering Scott Drew his 5th consecutive recruiting class

with a five-star prospect.Yessoufou chose the Bears, whose campus he checked out in late August, over Arizona State and USC.”Truthfully, it seemed like home,” Yessoufou informed ESPN.”It’s a small, tight-knit neighborhood where everybody genuinely cares for each other. I can focus on myself and my objectives without diversions, and their strong faith in God truly stood apart to me. “The program felt special since of their design of play and winning spirit. They’ve regularly been champions, and I was impressed by their 2 freshmen, who have a real chance at getting drafted this year.”Editor’s Picks 2 Associated When Yessoufou visited the Baylor school, he left impressed by Drew– as well as the developmental roadmap the program has for Yessoufou’s career in Waco, Texas.” I picked Scott Drew since he appears genuine,”he stated.”

While other schools had their benefits

, I trust my impulses, and his track record promotes itself. He’s been at Baylor for over 23 years, which means a lot to me. He knows what it requires a winner and a champ.

Viewing their practice showed me how much trust he has in his players, pushing them to reach their full potential.” Their plan is to assist me grow as a player, however what stuck out the most was just how much they believe I can make a huge impact on the program with my defense and scoring ability. I genuinely think Baylor can assist me reach my supreme goal of making it to the NBA. “Yessoufou will likely have the

chance to make an instant effect for the Bears. Two of Baylor’s forecasted backcourt beginners, Jeremy Roach and Jayden Nunn, are seniors, while V.J. Edgecombe is a forecasted one-and-done top-five choice. “I can’t wait to arrive, turn up the city, and most significantly, bring another championship prize to Waco,”he said.”Let’s make history once again.”A 6-foot-5 senior from Saint Joseph High School(California), Yessoufou is ranked No. 18 in the ESPN 100 for the 2025 class. He’s the No. 5 small forward in the country. He balanced 16.9 points and 4.7 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring, then ranked 4th in scoring at the Nike Peach Jam in July, averaging 21.8 points and shooting almost 39%from 3 in 5 games.Yessoufou is a downhill slasher who keeps defenses truthful with his 3-point jumper. He’s also an emerging defensive stopper who has fun with effort on both ends.He’s Baylor’s very first commitment in the 2025 class, however his promise marks the 5th straight class in which the Bears have landed a five-star prospect. Edgecombe (No. 3 in 2024 )dedicated in January, with Ja’Kobe Walter(No. 8 in 2023), Keyonte George (No. 6 in 2022)and Kendall Brown(No. 17 in 2021)signing in the three previous classes.