Caden Powell, a Waco native and former Baylor basketball player, is set to return to the team for the 2026-27 season after a recent court injunction in Ohio allowed him to resume play. Powell joined Baylor last year after playing at Wyoming and Rice, where he initially expected to be a backup center but ended up starting due to injuries within the team.
The current Baylor squad is notably different from last season, with an emphasis on depth and resilience, thanks to the efforts of head coach Scott Drew and his staff. Powell's addition is seen as a crucial final piece to a well-rounded roster, although it is not anticipated that he will immediately take a starting position.
His defensive skills and ability to serve as a lob threat will be valuable off the bench.
The projected depth chart for Baylor includes guards Kayden Mingo and Dylan Mingo as starters, with Isaac Williams IV, Brett Decker Jr., and Andre Iguodala Jr. in rotation. The forward positions are expected to feature Isaac Celiscar and Evan Chatman as starters, alongside Elijah Williams and Maikcol Perez in rotation.
At center, Juslin Bodo Bodo is projected to start, with Powell and Mayo Soyoye providing support.
Powell's experience, particularly in the Big 12, is expected to be beneficial for a young team that previously had only two seniors before his return. The depth at the center position is reminiscent of the successful 2021 Baylor team, which had a strong defensive presence.
