Following a visit that started on Saturday, April 12, during the University of Cincinnati’s Spring Showcase football scrimmage and Big 12 baseball game, the UC Bearcats basketball program has secured another addition from the transfer portal.
A 6-foot-7, 215-pound guard from Baylor, has committed to join Wes Miller’s Bearcats for the 2025–26 season after a short visit to Santa Clara. He announced his decision publicly on April 21 via social media.
In essence, the Bearcats swapped wings with Baylor as Dan Skillings Jr. signed with Scott Drew’s Bears after committing April 15. Baylor’s entire 2024-25 roster either left for the NBA draft, eligibility reasons or the transfer portal.
Last season at Baylor, Jalen Celestine appeared in 31 games and started 11, posting averages of 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He shot 38% overall and 35% from three-point range. In his matchup against Cincinnati on February 25, Celestine recorded eight points and seven rebounds, hitting 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. His season-high came early with a 20-point performance against Tarleton State. He also contributed six points and eight rebounds in Baylor’s NCAA Tournament victory over Mississippi State.
Prior to Baylor, Celestine played for the California Golden Bears, where he averaged 8.7 points and 3.2 rebounds across 27 games (23 starts) during the 2023–24 season. He was more efficient there, shooting 45% from the field and 44% from three.
He missed 2022-23 with a knee injury, but averaged 7.5 points and 3.1 rebounds his sophomore year at Cal with 16 starts in 31 games. In 22 games and five starts as a freshman, he averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds. Celestine is a career 38% shooter from the 3-point line. He is a native Canadian from Ajax, Ontario but played high school ball at Long Island Lutheran in New York.
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