Recently, college basketball fans were hit with the exciting news, as Baylor transfer Jalen Celestine officially committed to the Cincinnati Bearcats. This was made public by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress via X, the new commitment was a big move to boost Cincinnati’s roster for the coming season.
Celestine, a native of Ajax, Ontario, has a lot in his bag for the program, with 109 games of high-major experience and 38% career shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. This transfer highlights Cincinnati’s confrontational approach in the transfer portal.
A Sharpshooter with High-Major Experience
His move to Cincinnati has been denoted by steady growth and corresponding to performance. Standing at 6’6” and weighing 185 pounds, the guard has what it takes to make a prompt impact. Celestine began his college career in California before moving to Baylor, where he majored in his skill to develop his game.
Having played 109 games in his career, he has established himself as a reliable shooter and has maintained an impressive 38% shooting percentage from three-point range throughout his career.
NEWS: Baylor transfer Jalen Celestine has committed to Cincinnati, Mike Simonetta of Life Sports Agency tells ESPN. The Ajax, Ontario native is a career 38% 3-point shooter with 109 games of high-major experience. pic.twitter.com/iodj9hwyKf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 21, 2025
In addition to his on-court contributions, his longevity in college basketball speaks to his durability and adaptability.
Having played across multiple seasons and programs, he brings a veteran presence to a Cincinnati squad; that has been actively restructuring its roster through the transfer portal. His commitment projects the Bearcats’ intent to feature at a higher level in the Big 12.
What Celestine Brings to the Bearcats
Jalen Celestine offers a skill set that matches Cincinnati’s ambition for the next season. His 38% 3-point shooting is a standout trait, particularly in a college game where spacing and perimeter shooting are increasingly critical.
His ability to knock down shots from deep will, in a way, create more driving lanes for his teammates while forcing opposing defenses to stretch their coverage.
Defensively, standing at 6’6” allows him to guard diverse positions. His exposure in high-major conferences means he’s gotten used to defending against elite talent, a skill that can’t but be tested regularly in the Big 12.
As the team prepares for the coming season, Celestine’s decision provides a glimpse of what the Bearcats could achieve. With his shooting prowess, defensive versatility, and high-major experience, Celestine has the potential to be a key contributor in Wes Miller’s system.
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For Celestine, the move to Cincinnati simply presents him an avenue to showcase his skills on a new stage. After stints at Cal and Baylor, he’ll look to make his impact with the Bearcats while leveraging his development of his game. If his past performance is any indication, then Cincinnati fans have more to be excited about.
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