Kentucky transfer target Tounde Yessoufou reportedly staying in NBA Draft

TL;DR

Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft, eliminating Kentucky as a potential landing spot. He averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in his only season at Baylor.

Key points

Tounde Yessoufou will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft
He averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds at Baylor
Kentucky was previously interested in recruiting him

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Mar 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) shoots a free throw during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images As Kentucky Basketball looks to land a big fish for next season’s roster, another option is reportedly off the board, as Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou will remain in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Recruit News. Yessoufou recently entered the transfer portal after declaring for the draft. While Kentucky was thought to be in the mix, he still expected to stay in the draft. Even if he did pull a surprise and return to college, UCLA was seen as the favorite for the all-time leading scorer in California high school history. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound wing was a 5-star recruit in the class of 2025 who Kentucky was strongly in the mix for at one point, but faded down the stretch and didn’t even make his final list. In his lone season with the Bears, Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 29.3% from 3-point range. We already know Otega Oweh is unlikely to return next season, while Tyran Stokes is expected to pick on Tuesday, so seeing Yessoufou also go off the board in a span of about 24 hours is a tough development for Mark Pope and Co. . *Add us to your* *to get even more* *content!*

Q&A

Why is Tounde Yessoufou staying in the NBA Draft instead of transferring to Kentucky?

Tounde Yessoufou is expected to remain in the NBA Draft despite initially entering the transfer portal, with UCLA being a favored option if he returns to college.

What were Tounde Yessoufou's statistics during his season at Baylor?

In his lone season at Baylor, Tounde Yessoufou averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

How does Tounde Yessoufou's decision impact Kentucky's basketball roster for next season?

Yessoufou's decision to stay in the draft is a setback for Kentucky, which is already facing challenges with other players likely leaving the program.