NCAA Division II star Dale Bonner is transferring to Baylor. Bonner, who has spent the last three seasons at Fairmont State, just finished his redshirt sophomore year. He is offensively talented and should bring that talent to Baylor next season. The defending national champions want to have a run at a back-to-back.
This last season, Bonner averaged 21.2 points per game along with 5.2 rebounds per game and 4.5 assists. His efficiency on offense is something else. He shoots 46% from the field and 44% from three-point distance. He also knocked down 80% of his free throws.
100% committed @BaylorMBB pic.twitter.com/oaGJdUyp9h
— DB (@dalebonne) May 4, 2021
Bonner earned a multitude of All-Region and All-Conference honors at the Division II level. He has the ability to not only score but distribute the ball as well. The addition may not be as exciting as landing a number one overall recruit or a very talented Division I power-five transfer. However, this addition is going to be bigger than most people think. He is a talented guard with experience and doesn’t shy away from rebounding or playing hard defense.
For a team that is coming off a national championship, this kind of addition is only going to build on the culture that Scott Drew has been building in Waco. Davion Mitchell is headed off to the NBA along with teammate Mattew Mayer. The Baylor Bears were clearly one of the two best teams in the country last season, and with their head-to-head game against Gonzaga in the championship, they proved who the best team really was.
Coach Drew has developed talent at Baylor and will continue to do so with the addition of Bonner. Expect the Division II star to be a bit more advanced than younger players in the early going next season. If the Bears have a good offseason there is no reason they shouldn’t be in contention to win another NCAA title.
