Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua will have surgery to repair multiple ligaments in his left knee and will miss the rest of the 2021-22 season, according to the school. Tchamwa Tchatchoua suffered the injury — which came without contact — in the first half of the Bears' 80-63 victory over Texas on Saturday.
Nicknamed "Everyday Jon" for his work ethic on the glass, as a floor runner and defender, the former UNLV transfer played a key role on Baylor's national championship team last season with his ability to switch defensively and his effectiveness as a roll man in Baylor's pick-and-roll system. A reserve behind regular starter Flo Thamba, Tchamwa Tchatchoua has often played more minutes than his counterpart this season.
Against Kansas State, his final full game before logging just five minutes against Texas, Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked a shot in 24 minutes. On the season, he's averaging 8.4 points, 6.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game, and he ranks as one of the Big 12's most versatile defenders at the five spot. He also worked on adding a jump shot this offseason and has connected on 6-of-13 (46.2%) 3-pointers after not taking a long-range shot last year.
After Tchamwa Tchatchoua's injury in the first half, Baylor coach Scott Drew said in his halftime interview that he was proud of his team's response. The Bears led 44-31 at that point and went on to win the second half as well.
With Tchamwa Tchatchoua injured, Thamba played 30 minutes and produced his first career double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while freshman Jeremy Sochan also played some minutes at the pivot spot.
Baylor (21-4, 9-3 Big 12) next travels to Texas Tech on Wednesday.