Scott Drew beats five major programs for top-40 point guard TJ Jamison

Scott Drew has his first building block in Baylor’s 2027 basketball recruiting class, and it is a major one. Four-star point guard TJ Jamison announced his commitment to Baylor after considering USC, Oklahoma, LSU, Iowa and Miami. The 6-foot-2 guard from Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, is ranked No. 36 overall and No. 12 among point guards in the 2027 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Jamison becomes the first player to commit to Baylor’s 2027 class. His decision also gives Drew a top-50 prospect for the seventh consecutive recruiting cycle. For a program looking to reassert itself as a national contender, landing one of the country’s most productive guards is a powerful start.

Baylor wins a fascinating recruiting battle

Jamison’s recruitment included programs from the Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and ACC, but Baylor separated itself from the competition despite several factors seemingly working in other schools’ favor. Iowa hosted Jamison for his only official visit. LSU offered him an opportunity to remain in his home state. Oklahoma and USC could pitch prominent roles in high-profile conferences, while Miami has built its own reputation for developing dynamic guards.

Drew and the Bears still won. Jamison reportedly wanted to make his decision before his senior season so he could focus on competing for a state championship. Instead of extending the process and scheduling additional visits, he found what he was looking for in Waco.

Baylor’s history with perimeter talent likely played an important role. Drew has helped develop NBA guards and wings such as Keyonte George, Ja’Kobe Walter and VJ Edgecombe. Jared Butler, meanwhile, became the Final Four Most Outstanding Player while leading Baylor to the 2021 national championship.

For a guard with professional aspirations, that track record represents a convincing sales pitch.

What TJ Jamison brings to Baylor

Jamison is more than a recruiting ranking. He averaged 20.5 points and 5.9 assists during his junior season at Calvary Baptist Academy, establishing himself as both a primary scorer and offensive creator.

Jamison continued producing against elite competition on the Nike EYBL circuit. Playing for JL3, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. His game is built around speed, creativity and confidence.

Jamison possesses the burst to beat defenders off the dribble and the handle to change direction in tight spaces. He can attack the basket, stop for pull-up jumpers and create opportunities for teammates when additional defenders commit to him.

“I’m an all-around player,” Jamison previously told Rivals. “I like to get my teammates involved first, and then I can score the ball and get to the rack. I shoot the ball pretty well and I like the mid-range game.”

Jamison has studied Rob Dillingham and Devin Booker, two players known for creating shots with quick movements, balance and deceptive changes of pace. The Dillingham influence is particularly noticeable in Jamison’s shiftiness. He does not need much space to launch a jumper or accelerate past a defender. That aggressive approach can make him dangerous late in the shot clock, when offensive possessions often come down to individual creation.

Where Jamison must improve before arriving at Baylor

Jamison is not a finished product, which is hardly unusual for a player entering his senior year of high school. His EYBL shooting percentage sat at 36.4 percent, and he occasionally allowed his aggressive scoring mentality to result in difficult attempts or turnovers. Improving his shot selection and decision-making will be important as he prepares for the college game.

There are encouraging indicators beneath the overall percentage. Jamison shot approximately 35 percent from 3-point range despite attempting more than nine triples per game. He also connected on 87 percent of his free throws, suggesting his touch and shooting mechanics can support greater efficiency.

Size will be another area to monitor. Jamison is not an especially big lead guard, but his growing strength, quickness and willingness to pressure the ball can help compensate defensively. When fully engaged, he has the tools to become a disruptive on-ball defender. The next step is maintaining that intensity consistently.

MORE: Tom Izzo, Michigan State make final six for top-50 point guard Jaxson Davis

Scott Drew’s guard pipeline gets another centerpiece

Baylor’s roster will change considerably before Jamison arrives for the 2027-28 season, making it impossible to project his exact role. What is already clear, however, is that Jamison has the talent to compete for immediate minutes.

His combination of scoring and playmaking could allow him to operate as a traditional point guard or alongside another ball-handler. That versatility is valuable in Drew’s offense, which has often featured multiple perimeter creators capable of attacking closeouts and making decisions. Jamison’s commitment also gives Baylor an influential player around whom it can recruit the remainder of the 2027 class. High-level guards tend to attract shooters, finishers and frontcourt players who want to play with someone capable of creating open opportunities.

Drew still has work to do, but Baylor could not have asked for a stronger beginning. The Bears entered Jamison’s recruitment against five major programs, including the prominent in-state option at LSU. They emerged with a top-40 prospect, a proven scorer and one of the most dynamic point guards in the 2027 class.

Baylor’s latest backcourt star may already be on the way.

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