Rebuilding the Roster- Miller is focused on growth and development

As the Cincinnati Bearcats gear up for their third season in the Big 12, head coach Wes Miller and his staff are embracing a pivotal summer of transition. With an almost entirely new roster following last season's 19-16 campaign, the focus has shifted to team building, skill development, and learning how each piece fits into the larger puzzle.

 

“Summer’s crucial,” Miller said in a recent media availability. “With new faces, the main focus has been getting these guys assimilated and starting to build the foundation for what we want to do on the court.”

 

“This summer’s been all about connection,” Miller said. “With so many new guys, we’ve been intentional about building chemistry — on the court, off the court, in every way possible.”

A New Era of Roster Construction

 

Last summer was about retention. This summer is about reinvention. The transfer portal has transformed the offseason into a frenzied period of roster assembly, something Miller is learning to navigate with increasing precision.

 

“It’s not about evaluating what the spring is anymore,” Miller explained. “It’s about figuring out how to win that period in time.”

 

“It’s a different world,” Miller admitted. “But instead of evaluating what’s changed, we focused on how to win in this new period. I think our staff nailed it with the types of players we brought in.”

 

Only two returning starters are back for Cincinnati, replaced by an influx of six transfer portal additions and two highly regarded freshmen, including McDonald’s All-American Shon Abaev and physical guard Keshaun Tillery. It’s a reflection of the modern game, where spring recruiting has become chaotic — and vital.

 

A look at the Newcomers:

• Moustapha Thiam: The big man has raw talent and a massive ceiling. Miller says Thiam is nowhere near his potential — and that’s exciting. “He’s going to be coached harder than ever,” Miller said. “Because he can be special.”

 

• Sincere “Buck” Harris: A defensive stopper reminiscent of former Bearcat John Newman and UNCG standout Isaiah Miller, Harris brings relentless energy and edge. “We don’t just want to throw him out there and expect impact,” Miller said. “We want to elevate that impact to the highest level.”

 

• Baba Miller: At nearly 7 feet tall and extremely versatile, the Florida State and FAU transfer provides unique lineup flexibility. “He's not a traditional post. He’s a perimeter-oriented 7-footer that connects a lot of pieces together," Miller explained.

 

• Kerr Kriisa: Kriisa brings veteran leadership, high-level experience, and playmaking flair to the Cincinnati Bearcats. A transfer from Kentucky (and formerly West Virginia and Arizona), Kriisa is a confident point guard known for his court vision, deep shooting range, and competitive fire. He has experience running offenses in major conferences and brings a vocal presence and swagger that can elevate teammates. For a Bearcats team loaded with new faces, Kriisa offers stability, creativity, and the kind of edge that can help shape a winning culture.

 

• Jalen Celestine: A 6‑foot‑7 graduate transfer from Baylor, Celestine adds a versatile wing presence and proven skill at the college level. The Ajax, Ontario native is a seasoned, 3‑and‑D wing who can stretch defenses, anchor perimeter schemes, and elevate both their offense and lineup flexibility. With 111 collegiate games under his belt and time in established programs, he offers steady leadership.
  

 

• Jalen Haynes: Haynes arrives in Cincinnati having just completed a breakout season at George Mason, where he earned First Team All–Atlantic 10 honors. Standing 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, "Big Slime" brings immediate toughness inside—attacking the boards, drawing fouls, and thriving in contact.  Bearcat transfer Baba Miller described Haynes as a versatile and physically dominant post presence with an above-average passing ability and excellent court vision. His physicality and high basketball IQ adds immediate value to the Bearcats' frontcourt.

 

• Shon Abaev and Keyshaun Tillery: The two prized freshmen have come in humble, focused, and already two of the hardest workers in the program. “They want the expectations,” Miller said. “And they’re earning respect every day.”

 

Miller credited his staff for doing an “excellent job” of identifying players who not only bring Big 12-level talent but also complement each other on paper. Now, it’s about translating that potential into chemistry on the court.

 

 

Building Identity Through Versatility

 

With so many new pieces, the Bearcats are using the summer to explore a wide range of offensive options. According to Miller, this roster brings a rare mix of versatility, allowing for multiple styles of play.

 

“We’ve got guys who can play through the post, guys who can operate in pick-and-rolls, and shooters who create space,” he said. “We’re trying not to be too rigid right now. The summer is a time to learn who these guys are and what they do naturally.”

 

Rather than immediately imposing a strict system, Miller and his staff are observing how players respond in different situations—learning their instincts and decision-making in real time.

“There are multiple ways we can play through guys — post touches, ball screens, off-ball movement. We’re not limited,” Miller said. “This summer has been about testing combinations and seeing who naturally fits where.”

 

Miller sees a more versatile and skill-diverse team offensively this season. Cincinnati’s offense will be less one-dimensional than in past years.

 

Chemistry Is Key

 

On and off the court, developing team chemistry has been a priority. The coaching staff has made intentional efforts to foster connection—through training, small group sessions, and time spent together beyond basketball.

 

“With new faces, that feels even more important,” Miller said. “We’ve been very clear with the players that we all have to be invested in that.”

 

Competition never sleeps. 🫟 pic.twitter.com/eh45yC3EEk

— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) July 9, 2025

McKinley's Recovery and Return

 

One promising development is the recovery of sophomore forward Tyler McKinley, who is returning from a significant leg injury. According to Miller, McKinley’s rehab has gone exceptionally well.

 

“He’s had about as good of a recovery as I’ve seen,” Miller said. “He had a minor setback—a bruise—but he’s progressing well. His body fat numbers are trending in a great direction, and we think he’ll be playing live basketball again in the next 7 to 10 days.”

 

With the expectation that McKinley will enter this season leaner, more athletic, as well as more explosive, he adds another valuable piece to the puzzle for Miller.  

 

Behind the Scenes: A look at Corey Evans' GM Role

 

New hire Corey Evans has made early strides helping with roster construction, talent evaluation, and relationship building across the basketball world. While Miller emphasized final decisions still rest with the coaching staff, he praised Evans' value: “He’s selfless and sees things from a non-coaching lens. That perspective has already helped our program.”

 

Miller went on to mention that Evans was currently at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas at the time of the media availability. 

 

"It's really, really important that somebody is out and about," Miller explained. " Think about all the roster turnover there is in college athletics. And he's interacting with the key stakeholders in and out of college basketball. He's all about the team and the mission"

 

Competitive Culture & Expectations

 

With a deep roster — 10+ guys who expect to play — internal competition will drive progress. Miller embraces it: “Get better today. Win the details today. That’s our standard. If we meet that, we’ll be just fine.”

 

And while official schedule announcements are still pending, Miller promised a “competitive, NCAA Tournament-worthy” non-conference slate that will prepare the Bearcats for the rigors of the Big 12.

 

What’s Next?

 

The Bearcats will continue summer workouts through the end of July before giving players a short break ahead of the fall semester. Miller noted that the final week before school starts will be used as a crucial development window.

 

As Cincinnati prepares for another tough Big 12 slate, this summer of transformation may define their ceiling. With a fresh roster, a flexible system, and a focus on chemistry, the Bearcats are laying the groundwork for what they hope is a breakthrough season.

 

“We’re excited to be on the court with these guys and improve every day,” Miller said.